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The Suicide Prevention, Depression Awareness, and Clinical Engagement Program for Faculty and Residents at the University of California, Davis Health System

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Abstract

Objective

The authors replicated a program developed by UC San Diego, identified medical staff at risk for depression and suicide using a confidential online survey, and studied aspects of that program for 1 year.

Methods

The authors used a 35-item, online assessment of stress and depression depression developed and licensed by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention that aims to identify and suicide risk and facilitate access to mental health services.

Results

During 2013/2014, all 1864 UC Davis residents/fellows and faculty physicians received an invitation to take the survey and 158 responded (8 % response rate). Most respondents were classified at either moderate (86 [59 %]) or high risk for depression or suicide (54 [37 %]). Seventeen individuals (11 %) were referred for further evaluation or mental health treatment. Ten respondents consented to participate in the follow-up portion of the program. Five of the six who completed follow-up surveys reported symptom improvement and indicated the program should continue.

Conclusions

This program has led to continued funding and a plan to repeat the Wellness Survey annually. Medical staff will be regularly reminded of its existence through educational interventions, as the institutional and professional culture gradually changes to promptly recognize and seek help for physicians’ psychological distress.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Ann Haas, Ph.D., Senior Consultant, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and Maggie Mortali, Director of The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Interactive Screening Program, for all their knowledge and support with this program. The authors also wish to thank UC Davis Medical Center’s Medical Staff Well-Being Committee for its dedication in improving physician well-being, UCDHS Administration and Human Resources for their financial support of this project, and all UC Davis Health System’s Department Chairs and our physicians and residents/fellows who took the time to complete the Wellness Survey.

This project was funded by the University of California, Davis Health System.

Disclosures

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of California, Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, USA

    Jessica Haskins, John G. Carson, Celia H. Chang, Carol Kirshnit, Daniel P. Link, Leslie Navarra, Lorin M. Scher, Andres F. Sciolla, Jeffrey Uppington & Peter Yellowlees

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  1. Jessica Haskins
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  2. John G. Carson
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  3. Celia H. Chang
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  4. Carol Kirshnit
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  5. Daniel P. Link
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  6. Leslie Navarra
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  7. Lorin M. Scher
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  8. Andres F. Sciolla
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  9. Jeffrey Uppington
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  10. Peter Yellowlees
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jessica Haskins.

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Haskins, J., Carson, J.G., Chang, C.H. et al. The Suicide Prevention, Depression Awareness, and Clinical Engagement Program for Faculty and Residents at the University of California, Davis Health System. Acad Psychiatry 40, 23–29 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-015-0359-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-015-0359-0

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