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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