Community Transitions Sample Clauses

Community Transitions. Integration into the community after a suicide attempt or treatment after suicidal ideation is the essential phase of maintenance. As a person transitions back into the community after a suicide attempt or treatment after suicidal ideation, it is essential to engage and promote mental health wellbeing among the patient and family and promote consistent and frequency communication. The transition from the healthcare system to community care is often a vulnerable period of time for people with a history of suicide risk and for the health care systems and providers who serve them. In the month after patients leave inpatient psychiatric care, their suicide death rate is 300 times higher (in the first week) and 200 times higher (in the first month) than the general population’s (Xxxxx et al., 2019). Their suicide risk remains high for up to three months after discharge (Xxxxxx et al., 2016; Xxxxxx et al., 2019) and for some, their elevated risk endures after discharge (Xxxxx et al., 2017). In the United States, one out of seven people (14.2 percent) who died by suicide had contact with inpatient mental health services in the year before their death (Xxxxxxxx et al., 2014). It is important for providers to develop relationships and build collaborative protocols and procedures with the family and community members while still in care and during discharge. Ideally, clients would transition from inpatient care directly to a community mental health provider for ongoing care. When step-down care is not an option, the following best practices should be utilized. • Update a client’s safety plan the day before or day of discharge and go over how they can utilize this at home • Attempt to connect with family, friends, or any other natural supports that may be available. • Provide the client with community resources, highlighting those that will be important in the first few days. Remember to include community mental health clinics in case the client changes their mind or needs more support. • Help the client schedule needed appointments following discharge (i.e., DSHS, PCP) • Help the client plan activities for their first few days after discharge such as buying food, visiting friends/family, visiting a community center, obtaining needed social services, etc. Be sure to include time and address for any already scheduled appointments. • Provide a caring contact to the client in the week/month after discharge, including options for the client to access care if needed.

Community Transitions. The objective is to ensure all individuals are served in the most appropriate integrated setting to meet their identified needs, consistent with their informed choice.

Community Transitions