Keeping Patients Safe After Psychiatric Hospitalization: Best Practices for Suicide Prevention

The weeks immediately following psychiatric hospitalization are some of the most dangerous for suicide risk — yet many patients and families leave without knowing this reality.

In this episode, Becky Stoll, Vice President of Crisis & Disaster Management at Centerstone, shares best practices for bridging the gap between inpatient and outpatient care. She explains how families, providers, and support networks can help keep loved ones safe, reduce stigma, and build a framework of ongoing support.

From safety planning at home to making sure the “baton is passed” between hospital and community care, this conversation sheds light on what truly saves lives during this vulnerable transition period.

If you or someone you love is facing a recent discharge from psychiatric care, this episode offers practical strategies, hope, and lifesaving tools for suicide prevention.

Link to article: https://time.com/5709368/how-to-solve-suicide/ 

Link to resource mentioned: https://www.dropbox.com/s/40c9se12z4dorv2/AA-Best%20Practices%20v9.pdf?dl=1

Primary Topics Covered:

• Why suicide risk spikes after psychiatric hospitalization
• Statistics: 300x higher risk in the first week, 200x higher in the first month
• Why patients often fall into a “care gap” between inpatient and outpatient treatment
• The importance of suicide risk screenings and continuous monitoring
• Best practices for “passing the baton” from hospital to community care
• Examples of systems that keep patients connected and safe
• The role of families: reducing access to lethal means, monitoring, and support
• The value of peer specialists and school counselors in care coordination
• Why follow-up appointments and reminders are essential for recovery
• The long-term goal: not just survival, but helping people build meaningful lives

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to post-hospitalization suicide risk
 01:16 – Why the weeks after discharge are uniquely dangerous
 02:10 – National Action Alliance data: suicide rates 300x higher in first week
 03:25 – The “care gap”: who is responsible after discharge?
 05:25 – Examples of safe discharge systems (Houston, Centerstone)
 07:11 – Importance of thorough suicide risk screenings
 08:25 – Creating a “safety grid” like air traffic control for patients
 09:42 – How missed appointments trigger safety checks
 11:04 – Real story: preventing a suicide attempt through outreach
 13:23 – Raising the bar across systems of care nationwide
 15:32 – Goal: not just survival, but purposeful, meaningful lives
 16:19 – Role of families: safety planning, removing lethal means
 17:38 – Connecting patients with peer support and schools
 18:46 – Recap and call to action: we must do better

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