Grow Therapy 2023 Suicide Prevention and Awareness Report

Grow Therapy Provider Partners Survey — Findings on Suicide Risk and Prevention (2023)

This report summarizes the results of a national survey conducted among Grow Therapy’s Provider Partners, including licensed therapists and prescribers. The 2023 survey collected responses from clinicians across multiple U.S. states with diverse license types, specialties, and levels of experience. Its primary aim was to illuminate clinicians’ observations, clinical experiences, and beliefs about assessing and treating suicide risk to inform best practices in suicide prevention and mental health care.

Key Findings

• Most common warning signs: Clinicians identified expressions of hopelessness or worthlessness as the most frequently observed warning sign of suicide risk (61%). Other commonly reported indicators included increased social withdrawal and isolation (23%), a sudden improvement in mood after a depressive episode (11%), and behaviors such as giving away prized possessions or making final arrangements (5%).
• Widespread misconceptions: The most common myth clinicians encounter is the belief that talking about suicide will implant the idea in someone’s mind (60%). Additional misconceptions reported were that only people with diagnosed mental illness are at risk (19%), that suicidal ideation is inevitably lifelong (16%), and that suicide is always an impulsive act (5%). Addressing these misconceptions is essential for effective suicide prevention and for reducing barriers to help-seeking.
• Barriers to seeking help: Stigma and fear of being judged were cited as the leading barrier preventing individuals from seeking therapy for suicidal thoughts (58%). Other notable obstacles included prior negative experiences when seeking help (49%), reluctance to disclose personal struggles (26%), limited access to affordable services (21%), and lack of awareness about available resources (9%). These findings highlight the need for stigma reduction, improved access, and outreach.
• Cultural and demographic influences: Seventy-five percent of providers reported that cultural beliefs and broader attitudes about mental health create barriers for people at risk of suicide. Socioeconomic disparities that limit access to care were reported by 47% of respondents, and 18% noted a shortage of culturally competent therapists. Intersectional and marginalized experiences were also identified as meaningful contributors to risk and barriers to care.
• Prevention and safety planning: Clinicians reported that helping clients identify reasons for living was the most effective safety-planning strategy (19%) and also one of the most challenging for clients to accomplish (25%). Other valued strategies included reducing access to lethal means (16%), identifying warning signs (16%), strengthening coping skills (14%), bolstering social supports (14%), and establishing crisis contacts (5%).
• Treatment approaches: Providers most frequently cited combined medication management and talk therapy as the most effective approach for addressing suicidal thoughts (25%). Evidence-based psychotherapeutic methods named included the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) at 23%, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) at 16%, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) at 12%, and mindfulness-based interventions at 5%. A small proportion of providers (2%) reported using Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) specifically.
• The role of therapy in prevention: Therapists emphasized that therapy’s primary role in suicide prevention is helping individuals understand underlying causes and work to reverse negative thought patterns that contribute to suicidal behavior (40%). Other key roles included offering emotional support during crises (28%), identifying immediate prevention steps (18%), and educating clients on prevention strategies (14%).
• Clinical priorities when addressing suicidal ideation: Creating a safe, non-judgmental therapeutic environment was rated the most important consideration by providers (53%). Thorough risk assessment and developing a concrete safety plan followed (44%), with recognition of cultural and social influences noted by 3%.

Overall, the survey underscores the critical role that therapists and prescribers play in detecting warning signs, reducing stigma, implementing safety planning, and delivering evidence-based treatments. The influence of cultural and socioeconomic factors on suicide risk reinforces the need for a coordinated public health response that includes education, accessible services, and culturally informed care. Effective suicide prevention requires a multifaceted approach grounded in collaboration, ongoing training, and community support. By leveraging clinicians’ expertise and addressing barriers to care, mental health systems can better support individuals in crisis and promote life-affirming choices.

Methodology

The findings reported here are based on a national survey of Grow Therapy’s Provider Partners conducted between July 17 and August 10, 2023. The study received 57 responses from therapists and prescribers working in different states and representing a range of specialties and years of clinical experience. License types represented among respondents included Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Psychologist, Master of Social Work (MSW), Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), among others.

For more information about the study, please contact our media partners:

Jackie Quintana / [email protected] / 480-606-8180

Jennifer Avrhami / [email protected] / 602-339-7800