Saving Lives Through Conversation

Why do we need to talk about suicide and suicide prevention? Is it really relevant?

“Unfortunately, suicide does impact our patient population,” said Community Health Behavioral Health Director Christopher Chadwick.

“Suicide is a topic that is very difficult for individuals to speak about and increasing their comfort in being able to talk about it also increases the ability for us to provide services to individuals who might be struggling with suicidal thoughts,” said Jason Keicher, LICSW at Community Health Rutland. “We are working toward achieving zero suicide in Vermont.”

Awareness campaigns like the Rutland Area Out of the Darkness Walk to Prevent Suicide which takes place on Saturday, September 18th, educates the community and allows individuals to support one another and acknowledge that suicide is preventable. “The walk in September raises awareness by saying this is still an issue in our community, an issue we are struggling with,” Keicher said. “It Invites the conversations among individuals because some people will ask why we are having this walk for suicide.”

“Over the last year we have done a lot of great work on a program called Zero Suicide,” Chadwick said. The behavioral health staff and primary care clinicians at Community Health have been trained in two programs that help them identify signs of suicidal behavior and to implement treatment.

• CAMS – collaborative assessment and management of suicidality
• CALM -counseling on access to lethal means

“The main goal is to reduce access to lethal means such as firearms and medication. This can really determine that if a person who is a suicidal risk lives or dies by reducing the access,” Keicher said. “We are identifying people who could benefit from lethal means counseling, asking about their access to lethal methods and working with them and their families to reduce access to lethal means.”

As of April 2021, there were 35 suicide deaths among Vermont residents, two of them in Rutland County, four in Addison County. State data indicates that the number of suicide deaths has remained steady for the past three years, but “compared to previous years, there is a disproportionate number of older Vermonters dying by suicide.”

Keicher said he will be taking the Zero Suicide training outside of Community Health to prepare community members for conversations about suicide prevention so organizations and clinicians can be aware of what resources and strategies are available, how to identify the risk factors and what steps can be taken to prevent suicide. His community outreach includes taking part in Community Health’s video blog “Unity Through Community” speaking about suicide prevention and coping with anxiety during the pandemic.

“We want individuals to be aware, to know how to talk to people, how to have that conversation about suicide,” Keicher said.

Zero Suicide in Vermont is in alignment with national programs such as the 2012 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention.

Some startling Vermont facts that are gathered by the Suicide Prevention Center include:

• Vermont has the highest suicide rate in New England, and is 18th in the nation
• Suicide is the second leading cause of death in the 15-35 age group.
• 55% of suicide deaths are due to firearms
• In Vermont, there are 2-3 deaths per week by suicide.
• 7% of Vermont teenagers attempted suicide

Over a six-month period in 2020, Community Health’s Behavioral Health team supported an active case load of 2630 patient visits which includes 452 patients in the medication assisted treatment (MAT) program. In response to the increased demand for behavioral health treatment, Community Health continues to expand while addressing the mental health needs identified in Rutland County’s community health assessment. Accomplishments include:

• Full-time behavioral health staff is available at every Community Health practice, including pediatrics
• An increased rapid access model was implemented for addiction patients and MAT services
• Additional staff was hired including geriatric and pediatric social workers, psychiatric care managers and MAT care managers
• Telehealth consultations are available to all patients.

“We are pleased that all of our Behavioral Health department has completed training on counseling on access to lethal means,” Chadwick said. “But it is something we need to expand.”

“If a person feels they are struggling with feelings of sadness, depression or feelings of suicidality the biggest thing is to reach out, speak to someone, know that they are not alone. There are resources available for these individuals,” Keicher said.

As a Zero Suicide partner, Community Health collaborates with the Vermont Department of Health and the Suicide Prevention Center to raise the importance of recognizing symptoms of potential suicide and provide the skilled professionals and resources to address behavioral health illnesses like depression, anxiety and addiction recovery.

As a Zero Suicide partner, Community Health collaborates with the Vermont Department of Health and the Suicide Prevention Center to raise the importance of recognizing symptoms of potential suicide and provide the skilled professionals and resources to address behavioral health illnesses like depression, anxiety and addiction recovery.

For more information about Community Health’s Behavioral Health programs check our website, call 802-772-7922 or speak with your primary care provider.

Community Health is Vermont’s largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), a network of primary care, pediatric, behavioral health, dental and pharmacy services with offices in Rutland, Brandon, Castleton, West Pawlet and Shoreham. Community Dental offices are located in Rutland and Shoreham, Community Health Pediatrics is in Rutland and Behavioral Health services are available at all of our locations. Community Health Express Care Centers, open 7 days a week, are located at the Rutland and Castleton Community Health Centers. For career opportunities at Community Health’s network of health care services, check our Career Center.