Studies show suicide is a serious public health problem, claiming more than 48,000 lives each year in the nation.

A new initiative from the Zero Suicide Institute aims to change it and demonstrate how a diverse group of hospitals in South Carolina and elsewhere can improve their suicide prevention practices.

Allyson Sipes, director of clinical initiatives at G. Werber Bryan Psychiatric Hospital in Columbia, said the Institute worked with her staff to develop best practices.

"The Zero Suicide Institute brought in a group of individuals that we could learn from," Sipes recounted. "Then having an expert faculty with a change package that we used to set our facility and what to look at and address."

Sipes explained the program was developed by the Pew Charitable Trusts to test evidence-informed methods to detect suicide risk and connect patients to treatment.

Nearly 27% of U.S. hospitals do not practice recommended suicide prevention practices, including safety planning, warm handoffs to outpatient care, patient follow-up and lethal-means counseling.

Laurin Jozlin, senior project associate for the institute, said studies show half the people who die by suicide saw a health care professional in the month before their death but were never referred to a mental health professional.

"We know that there's an opportunity in health and behavioral health care systems to intervene," Jozlin acknowledged. "They are being seen by health and behavioral health care professionals but they're often not identified as someone who is at risk of suicide."

Sara Voelker, improvement adviser for the Education Development Center, said they take ideas proven successful elsewhere and develop them into best practices.

"We put it together into a change package," Voelker noted. "Then teams pulled out ideas that had worked in other places and then, essentially, figured out a way of, 'How do I adapt this to make it work in my organization?'"

If you are struggling with mental health, help is available by calling or texting 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Support for this reporting was provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts.


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The mental healthcare landscape in Nebraska is being upended by policies for reimbursing providers who see patients covered by both Medicare and Medicaid. Systems say they're losing money, resulting in access gaps for older low-income clients.

Providers say the key concern has to do with serving patients considered dual-eligible, meaning they're enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid. This year, the federal government expanded the scope of professionals who can see Medicare patients for therapy and be reimbursed.

But Jon Day, executive director of Blue Valley Behavioral Health, said because of how Nebraska policy aligns with dual-eligible situations, practitioners are now seeing rates cut in half.

"More providers are coming out and saying, 'Oh my gosh, we can't see these people cause we're losing money.' So, we either refer them out, or they're not taking on people as well," he explained.

Day estimates a $200,000 revenue loss for his system and added that it's not easy to refer clients elsewhere because of provider "deserts" in some areas. Those working with the Nebraska Assocation of Behavioral Health Organizations have been meeting with state Medicaid leaders, noting the state can cover the difference without taking on extra costs. But progress on a final solution has been slow.

Providers say they understand the federal government's desire to bring more mental health professionals to the table in seeing patients. But they add unintended consequences at the state level almost defeat the purpose.

Chase Francl, CEO and president of the Mid-Plains Center for Behavioral Healthcare Services, said this is a heartbreaking situation.

"There's such a low margin on any behavioral health services, and any small disruption really can have catastrophic effects," he said.

Even though fixes offered by these providers are described as solutions without extra costs, they acknowledge the challenging environment given the appetite among elected officials to reduce the state's budget. As for the federal change that brought this situation to light, Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioners can now be reimbursed under Medicare, and not just those with Masters or doctoral degrees in Social Work.

'Tis the season for celebration and good cheer. However, for many Michiganders, the absence of a loved one - whether through death, divorce or another painful separation - can make this time of year feel almost unbearable. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 64% of people with depression report the holidays just make them feel worse.

Dr. Ibrahim Sablaban, a psychiatrist and addiction medicine physician at Corewell Health, offers a surprising insight: he says sadness is one of the most universal human emotions, and should be embraced.

"The worst thing somebody can do is really try to suppress feeling human - really suppress feeling lonely, feeling sad, feeling a sense of loss," he explained. "It's very easy to say, 'Oh, I need to get my mind off of so-and-so who passed away,' but that's not the healthy way forward."

If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health crisis, help is available 24/7 - call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, to connect with someone for free and confidential support.

While many enjoy Michigan's snowy holiday scenes, the state's long winters and reduced daylight can also worsen depression, especially for those with Seasonal Affective Disorder, the aptly-named "SAD." Dr. Sablaban advises sharing emotions with trusted family and friends, and reflecting on happy memories of loved ones.

"To be able to embrace the traditions and the things that you shared with that individual, even if they're not in your presence. To be able to keep those things alive," he continued.

Mental health professionals also emphasize that while family traditions can provide comfort and remembrance, it's okay to let go if they become too painful. Explore new ways to celebrate, and over time, new traditions will naturally evolve.


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On this Election Day, Indiana residents may be feeling the effects of what some are calling election stress disorder, but there are several ways to cope.

If you're suffering with anxiety related to the biggest day of the year for politics, Dr. Jennifer Embree - chief wellness officer and clinical professor at the Indiana University School of Nursing in Indianapolis - encourages taking a moment to pause before reacting to election-related news, especially on social media, and focusing on what you can control.

"When we pause, it's easier to take the emotion out of that situation and then really thinking about what exactly are you afraid of," said Embree. "What's the worst thing that can happen? And then, what issue impacts you the most?"

Deep breathing exercises can lower heart rates and reduce anxiety. One popular technique is known as box breathing: inhale for four seconds, hold for four, exhale for four, and hold again for four.

Medical experts caution against using alcohol or drugs to cope, noting the substances often disrupt sleep and ultimately do little to alleviate stress.

Instead, clinicians prescribe seeking professional help if stress becomes unmanageable.

Embree suggested connecting with supportive people who help keep them calm. For those greatly stressed, she recommended meditation, exercise, or even dancing to manage emotions.

"Think about the people that keep you calm and really are your support peope," said Embree. "Those are the people you need to be connecting with - not people that are going to make you more anxious, more upset, that's one thing - is to keep the calm around you."

While election outcomes are beyond individual control, Embree said maintaining personal well-being is key to victory in navigating this high-stress period and future events.