I was in urgent care on a recent Sunday morning for one of those tell-tale signs of Lyme Disease – the dreaded bullseye around a bite. The intake nurse checked my temperature, blood pressure, pulse, blood oxygen – all the routine physical checks. Then she asked me this question:
Have you had thoughts of suicide?
Some might respond, “Whoa, this visit was for potential Lyme Disease, give me an antibiotic prescription and I’ll be on my way, thank you very much.” But I answered the question politely and truthfully. Depending on how I answered, I suspect there might have been follow up questions to learn more about the current state of my mental health.
This type of screening is becoming more common during routine visits within health care organizations and perhaps you’ve been asked this question at a recent appointment. It may be this one simple but powerful question that I was asked. Or you may be asked to rate nine questions that ask about common symptoms or behaviors that can indicate depression or suicidal thoughts on a scale between 0 and 3. On this scale 0 = not at all; 1 = several days; 2 = more than half the days; or 3 = nearly every day. When rating these questions, you should think about how you felt in the previous two weeks.
While this line of questioning can make some uncomfortable, it can be a gift to someone struggling with mental health challenges. It is an opportunity to talk about their feelings and thoughts with a healthcare provider who can respond appropriately with less emotion, and who can offer resources and support. The patient can get mental health care earlier rather than later when it may become a crisis. It may also help reduce the stigma of mental health challenges, especially in the rural and farming communities.
You can learn more about the types of questions you may encounter at your next medical services appointment by reading this article:
