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How can metal health professionals aid in helping patients reduce the likelihood of suicide after a hospitalization?

The topic I would like to research is that of suicide prevention after a hospitalization. I currently work in a mental health hospital and see many of our patients as rapid readmits or what we call “frequent fliers”, as they have had several hospitalizations in our facility alone. The field of mental health is a labor of love.  Either you have a passion for it or you do not and when the latter is the case it shows in the amount of assistance a patient/client receives.  While working in this field for over 20 years in several capacities I can attest the struggles one has when you are tasked with helping those who do not have the tools to help themselves. During this time, I have worked with the following populations: at risk teens, developmentally delayed, dual diagnosed homeless, substance abuse, and the list goes on. 

It is important to know you not only have to meet people where they are, you have to bring along tools they can use for a lifetime to assist them in the positive change they need to improve upon their current situations. I can remember working in a housing program for recently homeless mental health clients.  I knew I was not going to cure them of their every vice and needed them to understand that you do not allow your vices to dictate if you are successful in life or not.  Therefore, I started a daily living group and introduced budgeting them.  For many smoking cigarettes was something they were not giving up anytime soon if ever so we would budget their cigarettes into their monthly budget.  Some of the clients for the first time saw just how much they spent on cigarettes and decided to cut back. This in turn helped them both physically and financially.  

In an effort to reduce recidivism of suicide attempts, it is important to utilize several interventions to aid in the patient/client adopting proper coping skills to combat the urge to self-harm.  These can include wrap around services, support groups, community resources, family/friend supports, stable housing, etc. Once a person can see a glimmer of hope where there once was none they are more likely to change old habits for those that offer a bigger pay off in the long term.  As mentioned earlier working in these populations is not easy and brings about many challenges but the end result is the most rewarding when you are able to help someone learn something new about themselves they never knew existed.  The goal of helping reduce suicide attempts after a hospitalization is generally the goal of the social worker and the hospital we have to aid in bringing the patient on board as well.