BRATTLEBORO, Vt. (WCAX) – Health care providers across the state this summer are implementing a new statewide strategic plan that aims to reduce suicide.
The Brattleboro Retreat is among hospitals working to figure out how to better serve their patients thinking about suicide.
“The sort of attention to after-care planning portion of this, you know. We are trying to make efforts in that regard, recognizing that was one area where we did not actually have as much,” said Karl Jeffries, the Brattleboro Retreat’s chief medical officer.
He says the first 30 days after discharge is when a person is most at risk of attempting suicide. The Brattleboro Retreat is now working on ways to support its patients during that time. “Some way to follow up with them after they discharge. We have already implemented a post-discharge phone call from our care coordinators here. What we are in the process of developing is an actual clinic that they would actually be able to schedule an appointment with us for short-term, temporary follow through until they can get an outpatient provider,” Jeffries said.
Health officials are following new guidance from the Vermont Department of Health on addressing suicide. By the end of 2024, all of the Retreat’s outpatient clinicians will have taken fact-based suicide prevention training.
Kurt White, a psychotherapist, says talking openly with patients about suicide can help people feel more supported. “We tend to suffer more from the things that we can’t share and keep inside. The things we can talk about and shed the light of day on and make a plan about, right, suicide is one of those things. There is a lot of shame around that issue. There is a lot of worry about what would happen if people shared that,” he said.
The hospital is also developing a program for young adults, as they have been struggling with increased mental health issues and suicidal thoughts. “A lot more adolescents are in distress. There are higher rates of suicidal idealization,,” White said.