Association Between Suicide-Related Outcomes and Primary Care Outpatient Visits: Impact of Mental Health Screening and Interventions

TL;DR

This study explores how primary care visits relate to suicide risk and finds that integrating mental health screening in these settings could help prevent suicides.

Contribution

The study systematically examines the link between primary care visits and suicide-related outcomes, emphasizing the role of mental health screening and interventions.

Findings

Most individuals who died by suicide had contact with primary care providers within a year before death.

Structured mental health screening in primary care showed potential to reduce suicide-related outcomes.

Implementation of screening and interventions in primary care remains inconsistent.

Abstract

Suicide remains a major public health concern, although most individuals who experience suicidal thoughts and ideations have contacted primary care shortly before committing suicide. This systematic review highlights the importance of suicide risk screening and prevention interventions in primary care contexts. Nevertheless, despite the different primary care practices being widely employed in the screening of different mental health concerns, including depression, most individuals feel unprepared or uncomfortable with screening for suicide risk. Therefore, the objective of this study is to systematically examine and synthesize existing evidence on the relationship between suicide-related outcomes (including suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and suicide deaths) and primary care outpatient visits, with particular emphasis on the impact of mental health screening and intervention practices implemented within these settings.

To attain the objective, a systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase for peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2025. Studies were included if they examined suicide-related outcomes (ideation, attempts, or death) in relation to primary care visits and incorporated data on mental health screening or interventions in these settings. Two reviewers independently screened articles, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality using standardized tools. Due to study heterogeneity, a narrative synthesis was used. Thus, of the 15 studies meeting inclusion criteria, most reported that a significant proportion of individuals who died by suicide had contact with primary care providers within one year before death. However, the implementation of mental health screening or suicide risk assessments during these visits was inconsistent. Studies that incorporated structured screening tools or brief interventions within primary care showed a potential reduction in suicide-related outcomes, although evidence quality varied. Primary care outpatient visits represent a pivotal point for suicide prevention. Enhanced integration of mental health screening and intervention practices in these settings may improve early detection and reduce suicide risk. Further high-quality, longitudinal research is needed to establish effective strategies for routine suicide prevention in primary care.

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