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Emergency room visits and psychiatric hospitalization for suicidality are intended to save lives. However, the evidence points to different patient outcomes. Yet the risk of death by suicide for individuals hospitalized for suicidality is more than five times higher following discharge than when they were admitted.1-7 With rates of suicide death highest in the first three months, and rehospitalization further increasing suicide risk, hospitalization is not simply an ineffectual delay tactic but a potential catalyst of tragedy.8
The impact of suicide is not wholly limited to an individual loss of life but permeates that person’s world. Those left behind are at greater risk of suicide themselves,9 and families must account for lost income, as well as managing the emotional distress. These ripples of suicide are also further felt by society, financially impacting healthcare systems, the national workforce and individual employers.
The way in which we treat those most in need must change if we are to reverse the rising trend of suicide and its global emotional and financial impact.10 By utilizing new technology, applying evidence based therapies and specifically targeting suicide risk factors, Vita Health’s suicide intervention quickly connects individuals to experienced licensed telehealth clinicians and medical prescribers, nationwide, without the need for hospitalization.
Vita Health, an evidence-based proven approach to suicide risk reduction, is shown to prevent suicide attempts by over 25 times and reduce deaths by 80%.11,12
Close to 11 million American adults experience serious suicidal thoughts.10 Rates of death by suicide have increased by 35% in the past two decades, with men four times more likely to complete suicide than women.13
In 2023, over 50,000 Americans died by suicide, the highest statistics to date.14 These figures, combined with complications of nonfatal self-harm, cost the economy approximately $510 billion per year in medical and work-loss costs alone; a crippling strain on an already overburdened healthcare system.15
But the financial implications of suicide extend far beyond the healthcare system, deeply affecting the families of those who have died. For working adults, particularly those who are the primary breadwinners, their sudden loss plunges families into significant financial distress. The immediate cessation of income can lead to an inability to meet daily living expenses, causing a cascade of economic hardship. Mortgages, bills, education costs, and other financial obligations can become insurmountable burdens, potentially leading to foreclosure, debt, and even poverty. Additionally, the costs associated with funeral arrangements and grief counseling further strain already devastated families.
Improving suicide care necessitates a cohesive and comprehensive approach, particularly focusing on the need for consistency in treatment and enhanced support post-discharge.
Literature suggests that mental health treatment in hospitals may be perceived as humiliating, stigmatizing and traumatic. Patients who are already vulnerable may be even more affected by these factors.16
The integration of available technologies plays a pivotal role in helping to overcome some of these perceptions, as well as maintaining continuity and expanding the reach of care. Telehealth services offer a lifeline to individuals in remote areas, ensuring they receive timely, effective support despite geographical constraints.17 Recent estimates suggest fewer than 26% of those who died by suicide had access to mental health services in the year preceding their death.17 It is unacceptable that, in an increasingly connected world, telehealth solutions are not being utilized to their full potential. These technologies enable healthcare providers to offer timely, remote care that feels personal and is immediate.
Consistency in suicide care begins with the establishment of standardized protocols for identifying and assisting individuals at risk. This includes gatekeeper training, regular suicide screenings, and education on recognizing warning signs.18 A systematic approach ensures that every individual receives the same high level of attention and care, reducing the likelihood of someone slipping through the cracks.
Equally crucial is the support provided after an individual is discharged from a healthcare facility. The immediate period following discharge is often the most vulnerable, with the risk of suicide immediately after discharge from a psychiatric hospital alarmingly high.1-7 Yet, early outpatient care following discharge is shown to reduce the risk of suicide.19
Continuous care can be facilitated through follow-up contacts, rapid referrals and ongoing education for both patients and their families. Mobile apps and online platforms like Vita Health monitor progress and provide support, ensuring that patients remain connected to the care they need while reinforcing their support network.
The overarching goal of all of these elements is to place patients at the center of their care plan. Vita Health’s proprietary app engages the patient in safety planning and provides tools for self-help that foster a sense of empowerment and resilience. By involving patients in their own care, Vita Health promotes a sense of ownership and control over an individual’s mental health journey, not only reducing the risk of suicide but also building a foundation of resilience and connectedness that supports long-term recovery.
Vita Health’s clinically validated, virtual suicide intervention provides effective, compassionate care for suicidality and associated behavioral health challenges.
Delivered online by full-time, licensed clinicians, without the need for hospitalization, Vita’s care reduces suicide risk by 60% and suicide deaths by 80%, and can save payors more than $15,000 per patient compared to treatment as usual.11,12, 20
Curated by a team of suicide experts, Vita Health’s treatment approach is supported by multiple peer-reviewed studies published in journals including JAMA and The American Journal of Psychiatry.
A time limited intervention comprising of 12 sessions and support by its user-friendly app, Vita’s therapy empowers individuals to take control of their emotions and understand how to reduce triggers and manage behavior associated with suicidal ideation. Accessible online, nationwide, and at weekends, evenings, and public holidays, it enables patients to maintain their normal routine by receiving care at a time and place convenient to them.
Vita is not only significantly reducing the financial cost of suicide for payors, healthcare organizations, and the economy, but is reducing the emotional cost of those impacted by suicide and more effectively saving lives.
REFERENCES
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