Treating suicidal risk in a post-healthcare reform era
Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research
ISSN: 1759-6599
Article publication date: 13 July 2015
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to fully consider the potential changes in clinical suicide prevention that may evolve after the passing of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). The authors argue that it is wise to anticipate demand for suicide-specific evidence-based treatments (EBTs) moving forward. The authors outline current best practices in clinical suicide prevention, and describe the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) as an example of how a suicide-focussed EBT can adapt to some predicted changes.
Design/methodology/approach
This conceptual paper first presents an overview of the main effects of ACA within the behavioral health care (BHC) system. Next, the authors review contemporary approaches to the treatment of suicidal patients, as well as current treatment limitations. The authors present CAMS as a model of a suicide-focussed EBT that holds promise for use in the post-ACA era. To close, the authors discuss anticipated changes in suicide treatment and illustrate that CAMS is adaptable to these changes.
Findings
ACA mandates several changes: implementation of EBTs, better preventative care, integrated treatment models, and improved healthcare administration. A central effect of ACA in BHC is the increased use of EBTs. Therefore effective EBTs for suicide prevention are described.
Originality/value
Anticipating how ACA will affect clinical suicide prevention is necessary, as it is historically a very challenging area of treatment within BHC and a significant public health concern. This paper highlights the importance of the use suicide-specific EBTs.
Keywords
Citation
Jobes, D.A. and Bowers, M.E. (2015), "Treating suicidal risk in a post-healthcare reform era", Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research, Vol. 7 No. 3, pp. 167-178. https://doi.org/10.1108/JACPR-10-2014-0143
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited