In this episode of the MDedge Psychcast, we revisit an interview that Lorenzo Norris, MD, MDedge Psychiatry editor in chief, conducted earlier this year by phone with two psychiatrists working in New Mexico.

Dr. Norris spoke with Caroline Bonham, MD, and Avi Kriechman, MD, about enhancing resilience in rural communities. Dr. Bonham is vice chair in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. Dr. Kriechman is assistant professor in that department, and a pediatrician who works on youth suicide prevention and school mental health.

 

Understanding risks of suicide in rural communities

• Nationally, suicide rates have been going up across the United States, including in rural communities.
• Paucity of mental health clinicians supporting youth and their families has implications for youth suicide.
• Impact of structural poverty and the opioid epidemic also have implications for these rising rates.

 Identifying resources within small, rural communities

• Communities have resources that are not tapped into enough by clinicians, such as churches, teachers, and community health workers. Recent studies show that most communities have members who know people at risk and want to help.
• It is important for clinicians to think outside of the box so that they help facilitate the use of natural resources/strengths that exist within small communities, such as food pantries that operate out of mental health centers, spiritual organizations, and aftercare programs in schools.

 Building resilience among individuals

• The literature shows that engaging people in a collaborative, transparent process of care is effective.
• If community members who do not have problems, such as suicidality, physical ailments, or a severe mental illness, are taught to reach out, destigmatize, and facilitate treatment, the mental health outcomes of patients are better.
• Concrete, feasible intervention would be to work with gun store owners about the risk factors for suicide, how to encourage people to seek help.
• Some police departments provide education about the safe storage of firearms.

References

Curtin SC and Heron M. Death rates due to suicide and homicide among persons aged 10-24: United States, 2000-2017. NCHS Data Brief. 2019 Oct;(352):1-8.

Altschul DB et al. State legislative approach to enumerating behavioral health workforce shortages: Lessons learned in New Mexico. Am J Prev Med. 2018 Jun;54(6 suppl 3):S220-9.

Bonham C et al. Training psychiatrists for rural practice: A 20-year follow-up. Acad Psychiatry. 2014 Oct;38(5):623-6.

Kriechman A et al. Expanding the vision: The strength-based, community-oriented child and adolescent psychiatrist working in schools. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2010 Jan;19(1):149-62.

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