HJBR Sep/Oct 2025

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE  I  SEP / OCT 2025 35 Dana Lawson, DNP, MHA, MSN, APRN, CCM Senior Vice President of Population Health, Clinical Operations, and Health Equity Louisiana Healthcare Connections • Withdrawing from social activities or relationships. • Increased use of alcohol or drugs. • Dramatic mood swings or sudden calmness after depression. • Seeking access to lethal means such as firearms or medications. Healthcare professionals are trained to screen for suicide risk, create safety plans, and follow up after hospital discharges. But they can’t do it alone. Families and communities are the first line of defense. A parent who notices their child’s sudden silence. A coach who sees a player strug- gling. A friend who hears someone say, “I just can’t do this anymore.” These mo- ments matter. Shared Responsibility Suicide prevention is not the responsibility of one group; it’s a shared mission that spans families, communities, and healthcare systems. Each plays a vital role in recognizing risk, offering support, and creating environments where individuals feel safe to seek help. Families and communities are often the first to notice when something is wrong. By fostering open, stigma-free conversations about mental health, they create safe spaces where individuals can express distress without fear of judgment. Promoting mental health literacy, through schools, workplaces, and faith-based organizations, empowers people to recognize warning signs and respond effectively. Community leaders can further normalize help-seeking by sharing personal stories and encouraging use of resources like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Practical steps also matter. Families can reduce access to lethal means, such as firearms and medications, especially during times of crisis. Participating in prevention programs like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Talk Saves Lives or the National Alliance on Mental Illness’s Ending the Silence equips communities with tools to intervene early and compassionately. Healthcare professionals complement theseeffortswithclinicalexpertise.Routine mental health screenings in primary care, pediatrics, ob-gyn, and emergency settings help identify individuals at risk. Tools like the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) guide assessments, while personalized safety plans and lethal means counseling reduce immediate danger. Follow-up care is critical, especially within the first 30 days after being discharged from a healthcare facility, when suicide risk is highest. Coordinated transitions and timely mental health referrals can be lifesaving. Importantly, healthcare providers must also engage families in the care process. Educating loved ones about warning signs, communication strategies, and available resources strengthens the support net- work around the individual. Together, families, communities, and healthcare professionals form a powerful safety net. Through collaboration, compassion, and education, we can help TODAY, suicide remains a critical public health challenge in the United States. In 2023, more than 49,000 Americans died by suicide, equivalent to one life lost every 11 minutes. And here in Louisiana, we continue to face our own alarming trends. Based on 2022 data, the state ranked 22nd nation- ally for suicide deaths, with a rate of 15.8 per 100,000 people. Among seniors aged 65 and older, the rate climbs to 16.6 per 100,000, placing Louisiana 16th in the na- tion. For teens, the rate is 10.7 per 100,000, ranking the state 17th. These sobering statistics underscore the urgent need for comprehensive, commu- nity-driven suicide prevention strategies, ones that prioritize early recognition, equi- table access to care, and sustained support for individuals, families, and communities. EachOctober, Suicide PreventionMonth serves as a national call to action. It’s a time to raise awareness, confront stigmas, and promote life-saving interventions. For healthcare professionals, families, and community leaders alike, it is a powerful reminder of the shared responsibility we hold in identifying risk, connecting people to care, and supporting those affected by suicide. Warning Signs Healthcare professionals, families, and community members must be vigilant in recognizing the warning signs of suicide. These signs include but are not limited to: • Talking about wanting to die, feeling hopeless, or being a burden.