Centerstone COVID-19 Emergency Response to Suicide Prevention in Florida (FL-ERSP) will advance efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent suicide and suicide attempts among adults age 25 and older, including victims of domestic violence, in Manatee and Sarasota counties, Florida. FL-ERSP anticipates serving, at minimum, an unduplicated total of 125 adults in the 16-month project period, based on considerations including area/population need, staff caseload/capacity, and timeframe for meeting client care needs.
FL-ERSP’s focus population demographics are expected to mirror those of the catchment area, with 47% male, 53% female, 83% white, 5% African American, and 9% Hispanic/Latino individuals ages 25+. FL-ERSP will place special emphasis on supporting victims of domestic violence, comprising a reported 0.4% of the area’s population. Prior to the pandemic, suicide rates among the focus population far exceeded the nation and state (26.7/100,000 vs. 14.5 and 21.5); these rates are expected to rise as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and related behavioral health needs, FL-ERSP will provide rapid follow-up, including care transition/coordination services, among clients who have attempted suicide or experienced a suicidal crisis after discharge from emergency departments (EDs) and inpatient psychiatric units (IPUs), and help clients secure a mental health appointment within a week of discharge. FL-ERSP will assess clients’ risk level using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale, the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire, and the Partner Violence Screen (PVS). A crisis management plan will be developed for those at high risk comprising of safety planning, reduced access to lethal means crisis intervention, continuous contact/monitoring, and rapid follow-up. Victims of domestic violence and their dependents will be provided enhanced services, including a safe place to stay if they are unable to remain safe in their home. FL-ERSP suicide-specific evidence-based practices include RELATE; the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (ITS); Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Suicide Prevention (CBT-SP); Suicide-Prevention Focused Narrative Exposure Therapy (S-NET); Dialectical Behavioral Therapy-Skills Treatment (DBT-ST); Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program (ASSIP); and Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM).
FL-ERSP will accomplish the following goals: 1) Develop/implement a plan for rapid follow-up after discharge from EDs/IPUs; 2) Provide follow-up and care transition/coordination services; 3) Enhance/expand community and clinical service provider training; 4) Develop/expand collaborations with relevant state/community organizations/departments/systems to implement comprehensive suicide prevention; 5) Enhance/expand community recovery supports for clients and household members; and 6) Conduct a comprehensive evaluation. FL-ERSP objectives will measure the number of screenings/assessments and rapid follow-up conducted; services (including telehealth services), care transition, and care coordination delivered; and community/clinical trainings conducted, as well as outcomes related to substance use, employment status, housing stability, suicidality, and social connectedness among participants. FL-ERSP has secured commitments from partners, including domestic violence organizations, who are dedicated to the project’s success and who will serve as linkage/referral sources; provide recovery support services; and take part in project trainings, Advisory Council, and Evaluation activities.