The weeks immediately following discharge from a psychiatric hospital are among the most dangerous periods for suicide risk—a reality too few people are aware of. In this episode, we speak with Becky Stoll, VP of Crisis and Disaster Management at Centerstone, about the staggering statistics, why this window is so fragile, and how patients, families, and the healthcare system can do better.

Becky explains why suicide prevention must be treated as its own priority, separate from depression and other mental health diagnoses. She also shares practical steps families and clinicians can take to bridge the gaps in care, stay vigilant, and save lives.

This candid discussion challenges assumptions about hospitalization, sheds light on systemic shortcomings, and emphasizes that true recovery requires both treatment and continued connection.

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

Primary Topics Covered:

Why suicide risk skyrockets after psychiatric hospitalization
The “Swiss cheese” problem in the transition from inpatient to outpatient care
Why hospitalization is more about safety than “fixing” mental illness
How lack of clinician training impacts suicide prevention
The evolving view of suicide as its own diagnosable condition
Practical advice for families to support loved ones post-discharge
The role of connection, follow-up, and intentional care transitions

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to the episode and today’s focus
01:17 - Why statistics about suicide risk after hospitalization matter
02:16 - The shocking numbers: 300x higher risk in the first week
03:06 - Guest introduction: Becky Stoll from Centerstone
03:42 - Why post-hospitalization is such a fragile time
04:17 - Are families warned about this heightened risk?
05:35 - The stigma of not “getting fixed” after treatment
07:39 - Why discharge appointments often fail patients
08:45 - The “Swiss cheese” of inpatient-to-outpatient care
09:42 - Why hospitalization is about safety, not a cure
10:33 - Lack of suicide prevention training in clinicians
11:39 - Suicide prevention as an evolving field
13:26 - Why suicide must be treated as its own condition
14:10 - Prioritizing suicide prevention above all else
15:28 - How the field is slowly learning and growing
16:09 - Systemic gaps and the urgent need for change
17:03 - Why it feels “perverse” not to prioritize suicide care
18:07 - Key takeaways for families and the importance of vigilance
18:42 - Closing thoughts and resources for listeners

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