Suicide prevention in primary care

Suicide remains a critical public health issue, with rates in Maricopa County surpassing the national average. Individuals recently discharged from psychiatric hospitalization or emergency departments following suicidal ideation or attempts are at highest risk for repeat suicide attempts, particularly within the first 30 days post-discharge. Despite frequent contact with primary care, suicide risk is often underassessed due to provider discomfort, limited training, and systemic gaps in behavioral health integration. This project aims to implement and evaluate the feasibility of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) Competency-Based Suicide Prevention Training in a primary care clinic in Northwest Maricopa County. The objective is to improve provider knowledge, confidence, and use of evidence-based suicide risk assessments and interventions, such as the C-SSRS and PHQ-9. A SWOT analysis was used to evaluate the clinic’s readiness, highlighting strengths in public health alignment and collaboration potential, while acknowledging barriers such as staffing shortages and stigma. The training will be assessed through pre- and post-surveys measuring provider competency, with follow-up strategies embedded to support sustained practice change. Findings from this project may inform broader integration of suicide prevention protocols in primary care, improve early intervention during high-risk periods, and guide future policy and educational initiatives to reduce suicide-related outcomes in vulnerable populations.

Keisha Boyns, MSN, PMHNP, is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with more than fourteen years of experience across acute inpatient psychiatry, crisis and emergency services, serious mental illness programs, child and adolescent care, geriatric psychiatry, outpatient behavioral health, and substance use treatment. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing from Northern Arizona University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Grand Canyon University. Her clinical background includes psychiatric assessment, crisis intervention, psychopharmacology support, detoxification monitoring, and integrated care coordination. Ms. Boyns is committed to evidence-based, person-centered behavioral healthcare that promotes safety, recovery, and long-term stability.