National survey reveals key observations from licensed therapists surrounding warning signs, misconceptions, treatments and barriers to care.
Grow Therapy, a provider-centric mental health group improving access to high-quality mental healthcare, has released its 2023 Suicide Prevention and Awareness Report. The national survey of Grow Therapy’s Provider Partners reveals trends therapists are seeing among their patients and insights into the challenges and benefits of therapy for clients with suicidal ideation.
“The findings reveal that providers are actively engaged in identifying and understanding suicide risk with their clients, but they recognize that there continue to be misconceptions, barriers and cultural factors that impact suicide prevention efforts,” said Cynthia Grant, PhD, LCSW, Head of Clinical at Grow Therapy. “Our goal of this survey is to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the fundamental elements that may influence suicidal thinking and behaviors. By harnessing the expertise and diversity of our providers, we hope not only to gain insights but also to devise strategies for prevention.”
Key findings from the report:
- Warning Signs: The most common warning sign of suicide risk that therapists report seeing among their clients is expressing feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness (61%). This was followed by increased social withdrawal and isolation (23%), sudden improvement in mood after a period of depression (11%) and giving away prized possessions or making final arrangements (5%).
- Misconceptions: Therapists report that the most common misconception surrounding suicide is that talking about suicide will plant the idea in someone's mind (60%). This was followed by believing that only people with a diagnosed mental illness are at risk of suicide (19%), that once someone experiences suicidal ideation, they will struggle with it for the rest of their life (16%) and that suicide is always an impulsive act (5%).
- Barriers: Therapists report that the biggest barrier to seeking therapy for suicidal ideation is the stigma and fear of judgment from others (58%). Other common barriers are having a prior negative experience when seeking help (49%), reluctance to discuss personal struggles openly (26%), limited access to affordable mental health services (21%) and a lack of awareness about available resources (9%).
- Cultural and Demographic Factors: 75% of providers reported that cultural beliefs and attitudes towards mental health create barriers for individuals who are at risk of suicide, as opposed to only 4% reporting language barriers, meaning the work to be done in society is still around the stigma of mental health. Other common cultural or demographic factors that create barriers include socioeconomic disparities resulting in limited access to mental health services (47%), accessibility of culturally competent therapists (18%), intersectionality and the unique experiences of marginalized groups (18%).
- Prevention Strategies: Therapists report that the most effective safety planning strategy in therapy sessions is to help clients identify reasons for living (19%). They also say that this can be the most challenging strategy for clients (25%). Other effective strategies noted were reducing access to lethal means (16%), identification of warning signs (16%), coping strategies (14%), social supports (14%) and contacts during a crisis (5%).
- Treatment: Therapists report that the most effective technique for addressing suicidal thoughts is medication management programs paired with talk therapy (25%). Other evidence-based approaches were cited as Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) (23%), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) (16%), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (12%), mindfulness-based interventions (5%) and very few providers (2%) report using Counseling on Access to Lethal Means.
- Role of Therapy: Therapists report that the most important role that therapy plays in suicide prevention is to help individuals understand the underlying causes of suicide and how to prevent or reverse the negative thought patterns that lead to suicidal behavior (40%). This was followed by providing emotional support during crisis moments (28%), identifying immediate solutions to prevent suicide (18%) and educating individuals on suicide prevention strategies (14%).
- Considerations: The most important consideration therapists make when addressing suicidal ideation is to offer clients a safe and non-judgmental environment (53%). This was followed by assessing the level of suicide risk and creating a safety plan (44%) and recognizing the cultural and social factors influencing suicide risk (3%).
The report underscores therapists and prescribers' pivotal role in detecting and addressing warning signs, while also highlighting effective suicide prevention strategies and evidence-based treatments. Cultural and demographic factors' influence on suicide risk is significant, urging society to collectively confront the ongoing stigma associated with mental health and mental illness. It is evident that effective suicide prevention necessitates a multifaceted approach grounded in collaboration, education, and support. By tapping into providers' expertise and embracing their diversity, we hold the capacity to reshape the landscape of mental health, embarking on a journey toward a future where each person feels acknowledged, understood, and equipped with the resources to make life-affirming choices.
Grow Therapy offers a marketplace for patients to find the right therapist, with the ability to filter via insurance type, state, areas of specialty, gender, virtual or in-person sessions and availability. The therapists available on the marketplace partner with Grow Therapy to receive dedicated admin support like, billing and credentialing plus access to a telehealth platform, custom-built EHR, private peer community and discounted health insurance.
For more information on Grow Therapy’s 2023 Suicide Prevention and Awareness Report, visit growtherapy.com.
Grow Therapy is a provider-centric mental health group, using technology to make high-quality mental healthcare accessible and affordable to all Americans. Grow Therapy provides therapists and prescribers with a suite of business tools and services, peer community, and pipeline of expertly matched patient referrals so that they can set up and grow thriving in-person and virtual private practices, within the communities they care about most. As a result, more Americans are accessing a wide variety of providers who not only best match their needs, but who take their insurance. Grow Therapy’s network includes more than 6,000 providers and works with major insurers including Humana, Aetna, Cigna, Florida Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare. Some of Grow Therapy’s key investors include TCV, Transformation Capital, and SignalFire. More information about Grow Therapy can be found at www.growtherapy.com.
Methodology
The results of this report are from a national survey of Grow Therapy’s Provider Partners conducted from July 17 - August 10, 2023, 2023. There were 57 responses from therapists in different states, with different titles, specialties and years of experience.
The goal of the survey was to get insight into their experience and observations as therapists on the state of suicide ideation and awareness in America in 2023.