6 Ways Telehealth Intervention Helps Prevent Suicide

Suicide is a rising public health concern. The impact of suicide is universal and affects countless people worldwide. This phenomenon doesn’t discriminate against anyone. Even adolescents experience the distressing consequences of suicide.

Despite the challenge it poses, the advent of telehealth intervention offers a ray of hope for preventing suicide. Thanks to the technology of telemedicine, there has been a breakthrough in remote connectivity, making it useful for mental health patients.

What is a Telehealth Intervention?

This refers to the use of technology to deliver healthcare services remotely through video conferencing, text messaging, and phone calls. It has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its several benefits, like increased access to care and reduced costs.

Telehealth is an evidence-based approach to providing cost-effective care, education, and timely communication remotely. We at Omega Pediatric have a rich resource of reading materials about telemedicine. You might be interested in these related topics:

Top Benefits of Telemedicine for Patients and Professionals in 2023 and What Parents Should Look for in Their Telemedicine Physician 

For your convenience, we at Omega Pediatrics have collected information to give you further insights into the topic. Stay on this page as we delve deeper and explore the role of telehealth intervention in suicide prevention.

How does Telehealth Intervention Help Prevent Suicide?

Telehealth intervention is an effective tool for preventing suicide by providing support and resources to individuals who are struggling with mental health problems. Here are several ways in which it can help prevent suicide:

1.   Increased Access to Care

People struggling with mental health problems often endure difficulties receiving standard healthcare facilities. Mobility issues, transportation problems, long waiting times, and the fear and stigma of societal discrimination are barriers for them.

Telehealth interventions can help overcome these barriers and challenges by providing virtual and remote access to mental health services. This is especially crucial for people who reside in rural regions, as suicide rates tend to be higher in those areas.

2.   Early Intervention

Critical to preventing suicide is early intervention. This is especially useful to identify individuals who might be susceptible to suicide. Providing them with crucial support and resources could prevent a possible crisis.

Telehealth intervention can help identify these individuals by providing virtual screening tools and assessments that can detect signs of suicidal ideation or behavior.

3.   Crisis Intervention

This is especially beneficial for individuals who are experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Crisis hotlines are made accessible remotely, and individuals are provided counseling and support through video or phone calls.

4.   Flexible Care

Customized to individual needs, flexible care options include therapy sessions, medication management, and support groups. This is important for individuals who have busy schedules and may not be able to attend traditional in-person appointments.

5.   Increased Privacy

This is especially beneficial for individuals who are reluctant to seek help due to societal stigma. Telehealth interventions can be conducted in the privacy of the patient’s home, helping them feel more comfortable and secure when seeking help during the session.

6.   Reduced Stigma

Telehealth intervention helps individuals receive the support they need without feeling embarrassed if there are many people around. This is particularly beneficial for individuals who feel stigmatized about their mental health issues and concerns.

Telehealth Interventions: Various Media for Suicide Prevention

Telehealth services can be made available in various mediums. Here are various ways and means that have proved successful in suicide prevention:

Crisis Text Line

The Crisis Text Line is a nonprofit organization that provides free, 24/7 crisis support via text messaging. You can connect with a crisis counselor by texting HOME to 741741. This service has lessened suicidal ideation and improved mental well-being.

A crisis counselor is a professional who has formal training and expertise in handling and managing emergencies and crises that may have adverse effects on society. Their field of study also covers suicide prevention.

Virtual Therapy

The patient receives therapy sessions through video conferencing or phone calls. This medium is beneficial for individuals facing difficulty accessing traditional therapy services or who may not feel comfortable attending in-person appointments.

Mobile Apps

There are mobile apps developed for suicide prevention. To cite an example, the My3 app allows individuals to create a personalized safety plan that includes warning signs, coping strategies, and emergency contact information.

The My3 app also includes a button that allows the individual to contact their support network or emergency services if they are in crisis. This also includes the contact numbers of their family members, especially if they aren’t living with their family.

Online Support Groups

Individuals with similar mental health issues can benefit from joining groups that offer a secure environment for socializing. For those fighting their own battles, this can offer comfort to those who have experienced a sense of detachment or loneliness.

The great news is that online support groups are available globally via internet connectivity, making them a convenient and accessible option for many individuals. Here, location and proximity may not pose a hindrance.

Telehealth Interventions: Its Effectiveness in Suicide Prevention

This technological innovation has become extremely popular for enhancing the availability of mental health services. With suicide prevention as the primary objective, individuals are allowed to remotely consult with mental health specialists.

Krysinska et al. (2020) conducted a systematic review as well as a meta-analysis. Their findings suggest that it effectively decreases suicidal ideation and behavior, as observed in individuals who have a history of suicide attempts.

The evaluation revealed that virtual healthcare measures correlated with positive mental health results, including reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety.

The technology affords flexibility in providing mental health services in various settings, like community centers, homes, and workplaces. Individuals who are deprived of in-person care will find it more convenient and accessible to seek professional help.

Telehealth provides flexibility in the type of care provided. These interventions involve psychotherapy, medication management, crisis intervention, and peer support, allowing individuals to receive the type of care that best meets their needs and preferences.

Telehealth Interventions: How it Helps Identify Individuals at Risk of Suicide

• Allows regular monitoring of patients.

Mental healthcare providers can regularly check in with patients, enabling them to identify suicide risk factors even in their early stages. They will monitor their patient’s mental health status through video conferencing and phone calls.

• Patients discuss their mental health problems without stigma.

Telehealth allows patients to discuss their mental health problems without fear or being indifferent. This is beneficial for those who are hesitant to seek personal mental health care because of the stigma associated with mental health concerns.

• Capable of processing data that identifies risk factors.

Furthermore, telehealth supports data analytics. It can afford the analysis of a large volume of deep data. The results of this can be utilized to identify risk factors for suicide. This data can help formulate suicide prevention strategies and policies.

Telehealth Interventions: Barriers to Suicide Prevention

Although telehealth presents several benefits for suicide prevention, some barriers do exist and need to be addressed. Here are a few barriers to suicide prevention:

Limited Access to Technology

Many people who lack access to the internet or smartphones, particularly those living in rural areas or with low incomes, may struggle to avail themselves of telehealth services. This poses a major obstacle to implementing telehealth solutions for suicide prevention.

Limited Insurance Coverage

Even though some insurance providers have begun covering telehealth services, they may not cover all the necessary services or limit remote sessions. As a result, this hinders individuals from obtaining essential care.

Limited Resources for Crisis Situations

While telehealth has proven to be a successful method for suicide prevention, it may not serve as a complete solution during a mental health emergency. Those who are in crisis may require extensive care, such as emergency services or inpatient treatment.

Although telehealth can be employed for timely intervention and prolonged support, it may not always be effective in all situations.

Limited Provider Availability

There may be a limited number of mental health providers trained to deliver telehealth services. Remote care can’t be provided since they aren’t comfortable with its provision, further restricting the accessibility of these services. 

Telehealth Interventions in Suicide Prevention: Its Future in Mental Healthcare

Telehealth offers great potential to address concerns related to mental healthcare and suicide prevention. Digital tools provide several advantages that aren’t possible through traditional in-person therapy.

One advantage is the enhanced access to mental health services for those who otherwise have no access. Telehealth enables these individuals to receive mental healthcare services while in their homes.

Telehealth interventions reduce the stigma associated with seeking mental health services, as individuals receive care in private without leaving their homes.

Telehealth offers unique features that are helpful in suicide prevention. For example, platforms offer 24/7 crisis support, which can be critical for individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

Telehealth may also include mobile apps or other digital tools that can provide ongoing support and education to individuals.

Nonetheless, telehealth interventions in mental healthcare and suicide prevention are not without challenges. Technical issues may disrupt its delivery. There are also concerns about the security and privacy of patient information during consultations.

Harness Telehealth Intervention to Help Prevent Suicide

Telehealth has proven to be an effective tool for preventing suicide. It provides valuable help and assistance to individuals suffering from mental health disorders.

With the marvels of digitalization, telehealth technology also plays a crucial role. From a macro point of view, mental health policies to prevent suicide will be re-assessed with the end goal of improving the mental health outcomes of every individual in society.

We at Omega Pediatrics fully support suicide prevention. We offer telemedicine services and recognize their effectiveness in battling suicide ideation and providing continuity of care for patients with mental health problems.

With our collaboration endeavors with other mental health experts and especially with you as parents of our young patients, let’s work together to foster a healthy environment and safeguard the mental health of our children.

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