About Us

Substance use is a risk factor for suicide. The Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment-Suicide Care (SBIRT-SC) model is an integrated, public health approach that simultaneously identifies and provides care to individuals using substances and/or who are at risk of suicide.

The SBIRT-Suicide Care (SC) model includes:

• Screening – Screening with validated tools to identify substance use and assess risk of suicide, depression, and anxiety among adolescents and adults.

• Brief Intervention for Substance Use – A conversation using motivational interviewing intended to increase an individual’s awareness of substance use, how it plays a role in their life, and motivate an individual to change their behavior by stopping or reducing their use to promote health, wellness, and safety.

• Safety Planning Intervention for Suicide Risk – A brief intervention to develop a safety plan collaboratively with an individual who is a risk of suicide. The safety plan includes a tailored set of coping strategies and resources to help the patient/client manage suicidal urges and reduce risk.

• Referral to Treatment and/or Services – Connects those identified as needing more extensive care for substance use, mental health, and/or suicide risk with appropriate services.

• Structured Follow-Up and Monitoring – Health care professionals reach out by phone or another agreed-upon method following discharge or between appointments to conduct a mood check, make updates to the safety plan, assess barriers to continued care, and schedule/confirm a follow up appointment.

• Providing person-centered care and tailoring prevention efforts to specific populations using a culturally responsive and equitable approach.