What all physicians need to know about suicide preventionWhat all physicians need to know about suicide prevention
Quick Takes: A podcast by physicians, for physicians
“If you have a room of one hundred people, one hundred people in that room have been affected by suicide.” So comments Dr. Juveria Zaheer, CAMH psychiatrist and clinician scientist with the Institute for Mental Health Policy Research. In this episode of Quick Takes, we speak with Dr. Zaheer about suicide and suicide prevention. Will COVID-19 push suicide rates higher? Dr. Zaheer weighs in. We also discuss the evolving literature on suicide, and we speak in practical terms about risk assessments and how to approach the suicidal patient (including co-creating a safety plan). And, yes, Dr. Zaheer – a history buff – does mention her fave presidential biography. We end with an important reminder that the more we talk about suicide, the more we can all help prevent it.
17:31•23 Sept 2020
Understanding Suicide Prevention: Key Strategies for Physicians
“Talking about it can feel really scary, hearing about distress and pain.We can harness the expertise of families and patients who've been through the system, understand their stories to better identify people at risk and to co-create interventions that work.”
Suicide touches everyone, whether directly or indirectly. In this episode of 'Quick Takes', Dr. David Gratzer sits down with Dr. Juveria Zaheer, a psychiatrist and clinician scientist at CAMH, to tackle the challenging topic of suicide prevention. Dr. Zaheer shares her extensive research and practical advice on how healthcare providers can better assess and manage suicide risk, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The discussion covers the intricate relationship between the pandemic and suicide rates, shedding light on how economic hardship, social isolation, and reduced access to care contribute to increased risks. Dr. Zaheer emphasizes the importance of understanding each patient's unique context and collaborating with families to create effective safety plans. She also addresses the pervasive issues of shame and stigma surrounding suicidal behavior and offers insights into treatment options that provide hope.
This episode serves as a compassionate guide for physicians, offering practical tools like the Columbia Screener and PHQ to help in identifying at-risk individuals and tailoring interventions. If you're a healthcare provider looking for actionable strategies to support your patients, this episode is a must-listen.
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!
More From This Show
The latest episodes from the same podcast.
Related Episodes
Similar episodes from other shows in the catalogue.