About this page
This page offers guidance for Corvallis Clinic medical providers regarding how to help patients at high risk, including patients at imminent or high risk for suicide, and patients with severe psychiatric symptoms (e.g., bipolar, psychosis).
Table of Contents
(1) The role of the Behavioral Health Department
(2) Patients at imminent risk for suicide
(3) Patients at high risk for suicide
(4) Patients with severe psychiatric symptoms (e.g., bipolar, psychosis)
(5) Crisis hotlines
(6) Crisis services for specific populations (e.g., veterans)
(7) Resources for suicide prevention in primary care
(1) The role of the Behavioral Health Department
The Behavioral Health Department is not equipped to serve every patient who may present to the Clinic in crisis. If the patient is a current patient of a Specialty Behavioral Health Department provider, follow the instructions below, and also call the Specialty Behavioral Health Department at any time day or night (541-754-1288). If you are in a department served by an Integrated Behaviorist and it is during business hours, you may consult with them in addition to following the guidance below.
(2) Patients at imminent risk for suicide
A patient is at imminent risk for suicide if they actively intend to end their own life, particularly if they have a specific plan and the means to carry out the plan. These patients cannot be managed on an outpatient basis and should be evaluated for more intensive services, including the possibility of hospitalization. The only option is for these patients to access services at the nearest emergency room. In our area, this is at Good Samaritan Regional Hospital (in Corvallis or Albany). The patient will be evaluated and stabilized before release. On release, these patients will need an appropriate plan for aftercare as they remain at high risk for suicide (see below).
(3) Patients at high risk for suicide
Patients who are at high risk (but not imminent risk) for suicide should access services as soon as possible. Typical wait times for outpatient psychotherapy in our Specialty BH Department are often longer than is optimal for these patients (e.g., 4 to 8 weeks or more). It is recommended that you develop a safety plan for these patients and provide them with the numbers of crisis hotlines (see below). There are three major options for helping these patients find services as soon as possible:
(A) Consult with an integrated behaviorist. If you are in a department staffed by an integrated behaviorist, you can consult with them.
(B) Refer them to a psychotherapist and/or psychiatrist in the community. You can either refer them directly or obtain assistance from our Referral Coordinator (at 541-754-1288 or extension 2702) in referring them. Our "Adults in High Distress" page contains a list of therapists who indicate they treat patient populations at higher risk. Another page lists local providers of psychiatric services. We recommend that patients obtain the list of providers in their insurance network and cross reference it with these lists. Then, patients should contact as many providers as is necessary to find the soonest appointment.
(C) Refer them for voluntary in-patient hospitalization. Patients at particularly high risk, including patients in a manic or psychotic state, may be best served by seeking voluntary in-patient hospitalization. Locally, our hospital only has 24 beds. They are reserved for patients who have been assessed at the Emergency Department and are often full. Regionally, there are two psychiatric hospitals in Portland (Cedar Hills and Providence) and one in Eugene (Peace Health). The Marion County Psychiatric Crisis Center (in Salem) provides crisis intervention services 24/7/365 for residents of the Mid-Willamette Valley. More information about these services can be viewed on our "Hospital" referral list.
(4) Patients with severe psychiatric symptoms
Patients with severe psychiatric symptoms are often best served by a referral to specialized treatment services appropriate to their condition. They may not be well served by a referral to generalist psychotherapy. The pages below are designed for patients who often fall into this category.
Trauma-Related Disorders (e.g., PTSD)
There are four potential methods for helping your patient access services:
(A) You may refer patients to these services directly by following the information at the links above.
(B) If you are in a department staffed by an integrated behaviorist, you can consult with them.
(C) You may call our Referral Coordinator for recommendations (at 541-754-1288 or extension 2702).
(D) You may refer the patient to our Department and our Referral Coordinator will facilitate the referral. Create an Order within Athena, and specify the reason for the referral.
(5) Crisis hotlines
Updated phone numbers are published in local phone directories and online.
https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/PreventionWellness/SafeLiving/SuicidePrevention/Pages/crisislines.aspx
National Suicide Prevention LifeLine is available at 1-800-273-8255.
Benton County Mental Health crisis line: 1-888-232-7192
Linn County Mental Health crisis line: 1-800-304-7468.
For Linn, Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties - Northwest Human Services hotline: 503-581-5535 or 1-800-560-5535.
(6) Crisis services for specific populations (e.g., veterans)
TransLifeline (for trans people in crisis): 877-565-8860
Trevor Project Hotline (for LGBTQ people in crisis): 1-866-488-7386
Veterans Crisis Line: Free, confidential support is available 24/7. Three options: (1) 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1; (2) send a text message to 838255; or (3) chat online.
(7) Resources for suicide prevention in primary care
Suicide Prevention Resource Center - Resources for primary care providers
Veterans Administration Suicide Risk Management Consultation Program: Provides free consultation, support, and resources that promote therapeutic best practices for providers working with Veterans at risk of suicide.