Integrating local health departments to reduce suicide-related emergency department visits among people with substance use disorders - Evidence from the state of Maryland.

ABSTRACT: Individuals with a substance use disorder (SUD) are six times as likely than those without a SUD to attempt suicide, however just 18% of the SUD population has received treatment. One of the barriers to treatment is appropriate and timely mental health services. This resulted in a substantial increase in emergency department (ED) visits related to SUD and suicide. This study sought to determine if the number of suicide-related ED visits for patients with SUD is associated with the types of mental health activities provided by their local health department (LHD). Specifically, we examined whether patients with a SUD aged 18-64 experienced reductions in suicide-related ED visits when their LHD directly engaged in mental health activities, such as (1) primary prevention for mental illness or

SUBMITTER: Barath D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6864273 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature