Aetna CVS Health on track to reduce member suicide attempts by 20%

The pandemic has shined a light on the alarming suicide rate, especially among teens, and raised awareness of mental health issues. CVS Health this week reported significant progress toward its goal of reducing suicide attempts among its Aetna members by 20% by 2025.

In 2017, Aetna, a CVS Health company, initiated its support for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s goal to reduce the suicide rate 20% by the year 2025. Overall, the company saw a 15.7% reduction in suicide attempts through March compared to its 2019 baseline. This includes a 34% decrease among members aged 18 and older. However, suicide attempts among members between ages 13 and 17 increased by 43% during the same period.

“Our members are not immune to the national suicide crisis reported by the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention],” says Dr. Sree Chaguturu, executive vice president and chief medical officer for CVS Health. “Though we are on track lowering suicide attempts in adults, our goal will not be reached until we can say the same for adolescents.

“We are doubling down on efforts to prevent suicide in teens by identifying those most at risk and in need of intervention; reaching out to those discharged from the ER after a suicide attempt with resources; and supporting parents and loved ones in prioritizing the mental health of their kids.”

Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for people between the ages of 10 and 34. Nine in 10 people who die by suicide have an underlying and potentially treatable mental health condition. In an effort to reverse these trends, Aetna, a CVS Health company, focuses on expanded resources and outreach to adolescents, including:

• Self-harm risk modeling to proactively support families with children at the highest risk of suicide attempt;
• A partnership with Vita Health and Oui Therapeutics to provide access to Youth Nominated Support Teams and clinical outpatient programs with evidence-based therapies and interventions; and
• Outreach to adolescent members with comfort items after they are discharged from inpatient or emergency department care for suicide ideation or attempts to let them know they are valued and that support is available to them.

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Aetna also continues to work directly with health-care providers to ensure they have the necessary education and resources to identify and treat adolescents and young adults at risk of suicide.

“We are implementing evidence-based therapies and outreach programs to prevent suicidal ideation before it starts and get adolescents the clinical care they need when they are at risk,” says Cara McNulty, president of behavioral health and mental well-being for CVS Health. “Every suicide attempt prevented, life saved and mental health resource sought is an important step to reducing death by suicide in the United States.”