Virtual mental health care associated with decrease in suicide-related events
December 9, 2024
Summary: US Veterans who accessed virtual mental health services were less likely to attempt or die by suicide.
Suicide rates have been rising in the US; over 49,000 died of suicide in 2023, and this number could understate the problem, as some cases of suicide are likely mislabeled. Six in ten Americans report that they know someone who has thought about, attempted, or died by suicide. Military veterans have a rate of suicide over 50% higher than non-veterans. Suicide rates for LGBTQ and indigenous peoples are also higher than the general population.
The Veterans Administration did an observational study to determine if there was an association between use of virtual mental health care and suicide related events. Their population was over 16,000 recently discharged from active duty) veterans with an average age of 33. They found each 1% increase in the use of virtual mental health visits was associated with a 2.5% decrease in the rate of suicide related events. This study was published in JAMA Network Open.
Implications for employers:
This study suggests that access to tele-mental health care may help decrease suicide related events.
Tele-mental health can increase access and decrease stigma associated with receiving mental health care.
Telehealth can also decrease time away from work by allowing members to receive care outside of business hours and with no travel requirement.
Employers should continue to make telehealth available for mental health care and actively promote the value of the service.
Employers can engage employee resource groups or other channels of employee support to gain an understanding of the mental health needs of their diverse populations.
Suicide prevention awareness/campaigns may be a low cost, high impact intervention to address this public health issue broadly throughout the organization.
Promote the 988 Lifeline as a 24/7 free, confidential and life-saving resource that is available to everyone.
The telehealth “safe harbor” that allows high deductible health plans to waive pre-deductible cost sharing expires at the end of 2024 (or at the end of the employers’ 2024 plan year) unless it is renewed by Congress. Employers can check with counsel about implications of this if Congress does not extend the safe harbor.
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Illustration by Dall-E