Suicide.

Primary Care and Suicide Prevention: Captain Obvious Strikes Again, But It’s About Time

If ever an article belonged in the Captain Obvious drawer, it’s this one: “Primary care can play key role in suicide prevention,” courtesy of the National Institute of Mental Health. I mean, isn’t that like saying umbrellas can play a key role in staying dry during a rainstorm? Still, sometimes the obvious things need to be shouted from the rooftops, because too often they’re whispered and then forgotten.

Let’s unpack this groundbreaking (but not-so-groundbreaking) revelation. According to the article, “Primary care providers are uniquely positioned to identify and address suicide risk.” Why? Because these are the people we see for everything from suspicious moles to suspiciously stubborn colds. The average primary care doctor sees patients from all walks of life, making them the first line of defense in spotting the warning signs of suicide.

Here’s the kicker: “About 80% of people who died by suicide had a health care visit in the year prior to their death.” That’s a gut-punch of a statistic, isn’t it? It’s not just about missed opportunities; it’s about missed lives. And if that doesn’t make you sit up straighter and wonder how we can do better, I don’t know what will.

While I’ve never been in a place where I wanted to end my life, I’ve danced perilously close to the edge of darkness. My struggles with addiction and mental health have taught me that the path to healing often starts with someone noticing you’re not okay. And honestly, primary care doctors aren’t the worst candidates for that job.

These are the folks who’ve seen me at my best (fit as a fiddle, with a triumphant “I’m finally taking care of myself!” grin) and my worst (disheveled, dehydrated, and dodging questions about how much I’d been drinking). They’ve poked, prodded, and prescribed, often knowing more about my physical body than I care to admit.

But here’s the thing: even the best doctors can’t read minds. They need tools, training, and time to pick up on the subtle signs that something’s off. As the article explains, “Screening for suicide risk during routine health care visits could help identify people who might otherwise go unnoticed.” This isn’t rocket science, but it’s the kind of simple, proactive measure that could save lives.

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: it feels a little ridiculous to wax poetic about a concept so glaringly obvious. Of course, primary care should play a role in suicide prevention! What’s next? A study confirming that water is wet? But sometimes, the simple truths are the ones we need to hear the most.

Besides, who am I to judge? I’m just a guy who’s spent years battling his own demons, writing books to make sense of the chaos, and occasionally shouting into the void of this blog. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the line between “obvious” and “life-changing” is often paper-thin.

The truth is, we all need someone to check in on us—whether it’s a primary care doctor, a friend, or a stranger who senses something’s wrong. For me, that “someone” has been a revolving cast of heroes: family members who refused to give up on me, friends who stuck around even when I gave them every reason to walk away, and the occasional health care provider who looked past the surface and saw the struggle beneath.

The article ends on a hopeful note, emphasizing the importance of integrating mental health into primary care settings: “When primary care providers have the training and resources to address suicide risk, they can be powerful allies in prevention.” I couldn’t agree more. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about identifying risk—it’s about offering hope.

For anyone reading this who feels like they’re on the edge, please know this: there’s help, and there’s hope. Sometimes it starts with a doctor’s visit. Sometimes it starts with a blog post or a phone call. And sometimes, it starts with you deciding that tomorrow is worth sticking around for.

Here’s the link to the article: Primary Care Can Play Key Role in Suicide Prevention. If nothing else, let it serve as a reminder that even the most obvious truths can be powerful when put into practice.