Basics in Mental Health Screening for Suicide Risk Assessment in Dermatology

Suicide is a major public health concern. It is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, the second leading cause of death for individuals ages 10 to 34, and the fourth leading cause of death for individuals ages 35 to 44.1 In 2019, approximately 12.2 million adults in the United States considered death by suicide and 1.2 million people attempted suicide.2 According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2020, a total of 45,979 people died by suicide; that is one person dying by suicide every 11 minutes.2 Approximately 54 percent of Americans have been affected by a suicide death leading to emotional, physical, and economic sequelae.1 It is estimated that 1 out of 7 young adults reported suicidal thoughts at some point in their lives and at least five percent had made an attempt.3 More than 90 percent of adults who survive a suicide attempt do not go on to die by suicide.2,4 Identifying patients who have a history of a previous suicide attempt or who are at risk for a suicide attempt may be effective in preventing a subsequent potentially lethal event. All healthcare providers in primary care and medical subspecialties, including dermatology, have a responsibility for suicide prevention. Routine screening of patients for suicide risk and appropriate referrals to mental health services will decrease the number of patients who end their lives by suicide each year.1 This program has been CME reviewed and is approved for a maximum of 1 hour of AAPA Category I CME credit by the Physician Assistant Review Panel. Approval is valid for 1 year from the issue date of September 1, 2022. Participants may submit the self-assessment exam at any time during that period. This program was planned in accordance with AAPA’s CME Standards for Enduring Material Programs and for Commercial Support of Enduring Material Programs. SDPA members may access the post-test at https://www.dermpa.org/JDPA_Exams