Suicide Prevention Month brings visibility each September, but awareness alone will not reduce deaths, Karen Johnson, senior vice president and chief clinical officer at King of Prussia, Pa.-based Universal Health Services said.
Ms. Johnson told Becker’s that every individual can play a role in suicide prevention. “It is all of our jobs … every human being inside of a building is responsible for another human being.”
Ms. Johnson argues that executives must play an active role in embedding prevention into their organizations. “In healthcare, our mission is first to take care of people, and the way you do that is by taking care of all the people,” she said.
One key step has been the launch of the 988 suicide prevention lifeline. “The most transformative issue in mental health services was the establishment of a three-digit number … that is a measurable thing that has been done nationwide,” Ms. Johnson said.
But she emphasizes that prevention also requires a chronic care mindset: “Mental illness and suicidal behaviors are chronic, and needing to follow an individual longer is how we keep people safe.”
Community partnerships are essential, from schools to first responders. UHS has adopted the “Be the One To” campaign, which encourages peers to ask hard questions and be there for one another. “Our hospitals tend to be the anchors where people go for wellness education … anytime people gather … a focus on mental health and suicide prevention is an opportunity,” Ms. Johnson said.
She also highlights equity challenges, noting higher risk for Black youth, LGBTQ+ individuals, and Native communities. “Access is one thing. Effective access to effective care is what’s important,” she said.
Ultimately, she stressed that suicide prevention requires leadership participation at every level. “It is our collective as human beings’ job to ensure that we promote kindness and compassion and caring and connection … all humans can help us by just being compassionate and empathetic and demonstrating kindness.”
