SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAM
Kenneth F. Tullis, MD, Medical Consultant
Designed by Dr. Tullis, the Lakeside Suicide Prevention Program is a pioneering inpatient psychiatric program designed to reduce the risk of suicide by addressing psychiatric illnesses associated with increased risk of suicidal behaviors-especially mood disorders, addictions and psychological trauma.
Under the supervision of an attending psychiatrist, each patient is assigned to the Suicide Prevention Program after a comprehensive psychiatric, addiction and suicide assessment.
Utilizing eight groups a week, this program offers education about risk factors for suicide, treatment with psychotropic medication, cognitive-behavioral therapy for suicidal thoughts, trauma therapy including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and a comprehensive suicide prevention discharge aftercare plan.
The treatment team for the Suicide Prevention Program consists of four clinicians: a psychiatrist, a psychologist specializing in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), a licensed clinical social worker specializing in trauma and EMDR, and a community counselor. Each patient receives treatment 15 hours per week in a group setting.
Since the
Suicide Prevention Program was implemented in January, 2002,
thousands of patients have been treated.