Do suicide screenings help prevent suicide?

As one of the leading dual diagnosis treatment centers in the country, Fairwinds Treatment Center is more than familiar with the fact that suicide rates have risen in recent years. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide caused 12.1 deaths per 100,000 people in 2010, up from 10.4 in 2000.

According to NPR, a recommendation by U.S. Preventive Services Task Force indicates that there is not enough data available to suggest that suicide screenings by primary care physicians (PCP), in which a person's PCP asks them if they are having thoughts of suicide or depression, are effective in preventing suicide. In recent years it has become common for PCP's to ask questions about a patient's mental health during routine checkups. While the task force still recommends that doctors be mindful of such issues, they caution that screening alone is not enough to counter the rise in suicide rates.

The problem is that many PCPs have limited training in mental health, and therefore are not as capable as specialists when it comes to identifying and treating mental illnesses. This is why it is critical for those who are dealing with chronic depression and having suicidal thoughts to consult with Florida treatment centers that focus on helping patients overcome depression. In addition, family members of those patients should be mindful of signs that the individual may be considering suicide.

If you or a family member seem to be dealing with a depressive disorder, you should seek treatment for this illness, even if a PCP tells you that you do not have depression. The only medical professionals who are qualified to make that judgment are those who deal with mental illnesses on a daily basis. Having a consultation performed with Fairwinds Treatment Center can help you determine the nature of your mental health issues and make a more informed judgment about whether you require further treatment.