Overall HP 2030 Objective
To improve and sustain the well-being of Americans, the Healthy People organization devoted itself to establishing standards and monitoring the scientific progress regarding the matter. In particular, Healthy People develop a set of 10-year national objectives scattered over the public health areas (Healthy People 2030). Objectives serve to emphasize the high-priority health problems and ways of potential available solutions. Consequently, Healthy People 2030 objectives assess the population’s health, foster collaboration across various societal sectors, and call for action at different societal levels to improve people’s well-being. For this paper, the identified population is adolescents, and the respective objective is MHMD‑02 – mental health and mental disorders, reduce suicide attempts by adolescents.
Specific Objective & Current Data
Suicide rates represent one of the most significant concerns for the healthcare field. Firstly, suicide is the leading cause of death regardless of population group (approximately 800,000 cases yearly worldwide) (Cha et al., 2018). Secondly, suicidal ideation and occurrence are the most frequent among young people, making prevention even more critical for society’s future (Cha et al., 2018). Finally, suicidal thoughts are preventable and usually gone after a successful intervention (Cha et al., 2018). Meanwhile, the suicide rates in the U. S. among young people aged 10 to 19 registered a 33% increase between the years 1999 and 2014 (Ruch et al., 2019). In this context, the Healthy People workgroup identifies suicide and suicidal ideation prevention as a part of its objectives, categorizing them with other mental health issues. The current objective is to reduce the number of suicide attempts to 1.8 per 100 (Healthy People 2030). However, the situation is getting worse, according to the most recent data of 8.9 attempts per 100 (Healthy People 2030). Consequently, several population-focused interventions were conducted to address the issue.
Evidence-Based Resource
An evidence-based resource on suicide prevention efforts in Colorado can serve as an example of Healthy People 2030 direct actions. By statute in 2014, the Colorado General Assembly established the Suicide Prevention Commission (further referred to as Commission) to aid the Colorado Office of Suicide Prevention (ODPHP, 2020). Their main strategical directions for suicide prevention can be categorized into making meaningful use of data, engaging stakeholders from various sectors, and building a better infrastructure (ODPHP, 2020). The Commission identifies priorities and allocates funding by meaningfully collecting, evaluating, and publishing existing data. Meanwhile, approaching the objective from different angles allows for increased participation of partners and experts. Finally, emphasis on infrastructure provides the ability not only for suicide prevention but intervention and postvention.
Implementation into Practice
A population-focused strategic approach is a valuable asset in a suicide rate reduction. According to Wolk et al. (2018), the implementation strategy is generally subjected to intervention characteristics, community settings, individual characteristics of the people implementing the strategy, and chosen implementation process. Each mentioned factor can have specific facilitators and barriers that must be examined before implementation can start. In this context, suicide prevention in Colorado faces a set of unique challenges. ODPHP (2020) states that behavioral and mental health providers’ shortage, lack of resources in rural areas, high density of firearm-holding households, and Colorado being a local control state impede the Commission’s progress. Nevertheless, Commission believes that adhering to chosen strategies will ultimately allow them to overcome the artificial barriers.
As a healthcare provider, I can use the information from this evidence-based resource in many ways. First, it allows me to keep my knowledge updated with published information. Second, it makes me aware of possible barriers I can encounter while operating in this field. Finally, it provides a connection to a network of private and public organizations concerned with the same issue, which creates more room and possibilities for my practice.
References
Cha, C. B., Franz, P. J., M. Guzmán, E., Glenn, C. R., Kleiman, E. M., & Nock, M. K. (2018). Annual research review: Suicide among youth–epidemiology,(potential) etiology, and treatment. Journal of Child Psychology and psychiatry, 59(4), 460-482. Web.
Healthy People 2030. (n.d.) Browse objectives. ODPHP. Web.
ODPHP. (2020). Suicide Prevention Efforts in Colorado: Using Policy to Address Social Determinants of Health. Web.
Ruch, D. A., Sheftall, A. H., Schlagbaum, P., Rausch, J., Campo, J. V., & Bridge, J. A. (2019). Trends in suicide among youth aged 10 to 19 years in the United States, 1975 to 2016. JAMA network open, 2(5). Web.
Wolk, C. B., Van Pelt, A. E., Jager-Hyman, S., Ahmedani, B. K., Zeber, J. E., Fein, J. A., Brown, G. K., Gregor, C. A., Lieberman, A. & Beidas, R. S. (2018). Stakeholder perspectives on implementing a firearm safety intervention in pediatric primary care as a universal suicide prevention strategy: A qualitative study. JAMA network open, 1(7). Web.