Suicide Risk Before Mental Health Treatment Initiation: Implications for Screening and Access to Care

With rising suicide rates in the United States over the past two decades, a critical need has emerged to improve interventions to prevent suicide. Previous research has indicated that the period before initiation of mental health treatment may be a particularly vulnerable time for individuals with suicidal behavior. Presence of suicide risk before treatment initiation highlights the need to improve suicide screening and access to care. The authors propose various care and policy considerations to increase, support, and maintain suicide prevention efforts.

Automated summary

Due to the increasing suicide rates in the United States, it is crucial to enhance interventions to prevent suicide. Research suggests that individuals with suicidal behavior may be particularly vulnerable before the initiation of mental health treatment, emphasizing the importance of improving suicide screening and access to care.