Increasing awareness of suicide risks to save lives

CHICAGO — According to recently released data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide rates in the United States have risen nearly 30 percent since 1999. To help address this growing epidemic, the AMA adopted policy aimed at increasing awareness about the risks for suicide among the public, medical students, physicians and all health care professionals by using an evidence-based, multi-disciplinary approach. The new policy also calls for providing training for physicians to help them assess suicide risk and conduct lethal means safety counseling.

“With an increasing number of people dying by suicide in the U.S., we must do everything we can to help increase awareness about the risk factors for suicide. By educating patients, students, residents, practicing physicians and other health care professionals on the risks associated with suicide, we will all be better equipped to identify patients, colleagues, friends, and others who are at risk of suicide and help save lives,” said AMA President Barbara L. McAneny, M.D.