Suicide is a serious public health issue, affecting individuals of all demographics and backgrounds. In 2022, nearly 50,000 Americans died by suicide, an estimated one-third of whom were 55 or older. Suicide is the 12th leading cause of death in the United States, and 54% of Americans have been affected by suicide in some way. While suicidal behavior often occurs in those with mental health conditions, 54% of individuals did not have a known mental health condition at the time of death by suicide. Chronic health conditions themselves, such as arthritis and heart disease are associated with an increased risk of suicidal ideation, and those having (2) or more medical conditions, are at three-fold increased risk for suicidal ideation.
September is Suicide Prevention Month, and by delivering integrated care that addresses patients’ medical, behavioral, and social needs, ConcertoCare tackles the very conditions that often elevate suicide risk among older adults and those with chronic conditions. Given that suicidal crises aren’t limited to behavioral health settings, ConcertoCare ensures that every team member is equipped to act thoughtfully and swiftly when encountering a patient considering suicide.
Ms. B’s story highlights common underpinnings of suicidal risk among older adults, and the role ConcertoCare team members play in suicide prevention. Recently widowed at 58, Ms. B suffers from diabetes, hypertension, and COPD. She had never been diagnosed with depression nor another behavioral health condition, but when one day she felt lightheaded and decided to call her Nurse Case Manager for guidance, her voice sounded more distraught than usual on the phone. Ms. B went on to share that she “didn’t see the point in getting checked out” by a ConcertoCare team member, since life had become meaningless, empty, and without purpose in recent weeks. The Nurse Case Manager listened, empathized, and asked Ms. B for clarification, and learned that she was considering how she might end her own life. The Nurse Case Manager assisted Ms. B in getting emergency care to ensure her safety. Ms. B was then referred for ConcertoCare Behavioral Health Support, during which a Licensed Clinical Social Worker completed a comprehensive behavioral health assessment. With the help of her Social Worker, Ms. B created a Safety Plan detailing warning signs, coping strategies, and helpful phone numbers in the event of a future crisis. Over the next few months, Ms. B worked with her Social Worker to access additional support from family and friends, reduce distressing symptoms such as depressed mood, and connect with a bereavement support group. With these interventions alongside wrap-around medical care, Ms. B saw improvements in her mood, daily functioning, blood sugar control, blood pressure, COPD symptoms, and sense of meaning and purpose in life.
Unfortunately, suicidal ideation is not uncommon amongst older adults and those living with chronic conditions. At ConcertoCare, we take an all-hands-on-deck approach to treating patients holistically, leveraging our multidisciplinary teams to address any modifiable risk factors for suicide and strengthen protective factors. Furthermore, we ensure any patients in crisis are treated with utmost dignity and respect and provide them with comprehensive support and resources tailored to their individual needs.
Need help? Know someone who does?
Contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.
- Call or text 988
- Chat at 988lifeline.org
Connect with a trained crisis counselor. 988 is confidential, free, and available 24/7/365.
Visit the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for more information at 988lifeline.org
