CVS Health has made progress toward its goal of reducing the rate of suicide attempts among Aetna members by 20 percent by 2025, with an overall reduction of 15.7 percent and a reduction of 34.1 percent in adult members compared to 2019.
Despite hitting the goal of a 20 percent reduction in adults, suicide attempts among Aetna members aged 13-17 increased by 43 percent in 2021 and by 32 percent through March 2022 compared to 2019 baselines, according to a Sept. 26 CVS Health news release.
"We are doubling down on efforts to prevent suicide in teens by identifying those most at-risk and in need of intervention, reaching out to those discharged from the ER after a suicide attempt with resources and supporting parents and loved ones in prioritizing the mental health of their kids," Sree Chaguturu, MD, CVS Health's executive vice president and chief medical officer, said in the announcment.
To reach its overall 20 percent reduction goal by 2025, the company is taking steps including working directly with providers to better identify and treat adolescents at risk of suicide with new programs and resources.