Screening for depression and thoughts of suicide: a tool for Use in Alaska's village clinics.
Depression occurs at a significant rate in the U.S. population. Untreated depressive symptoms are a primary risk factor for suicide. Studies show that a significant percentage of individuals who commit suicide had visited their health care providers in the months before their deaths. Alaska ranks number one in the nation for suicide. Routine screening for depression and risk of suicide in Alaska village clinics could lead to reduced depressive illness and death statewide.
Niven
Julie A
JA
Norton Sound Health Corporation,Behavioral Health Services,P.O. Box 966Nome, AK 99762, USA. niven_julie@yahoo.com
D000413:Alaska; D003150:Community Health Workers / Q000193:education; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology; D006303:Health Services, Indigenous / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods; D012040:Regional Health Planning / Q000379:methods; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*