{"id":11460,"date":"2025-09-30T14:43:20","date_gmt":"2025-09-30T19:43:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/?p=11460"},"modified":"2025-09-30T14:54:59","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T19:54:59","slug":"suicide-prevention-and-awareness-what-you-need-to-know-from-spira-care-behavioral-health-consultant-rick-zbinden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/healthier-living\/suicide-prevention-and-awareness-what-you-need-to-know-from-spira-care-behavioral-health-consultant-rick-zbinden\/","title":{"rendered":"Suicide Prevention and Awareness: What You Need to Know from Spira Care Behavioral Health Consultant Rick Zbinden"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Suicide is one of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/suicide\/facts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">leading causes of death<\/a> in the United States and impacts people of all ages, according to the CDC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In 2023, there were more than <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/suicide\/facts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">49,000 deaths<\/a> by suicide, with one suicide death happening every 11 minutes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In 2023 alone, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/suicide\/about\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">12.8 million<\/a> adults reportedly seriously considered suicide.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Suicide was the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/suicide\/facts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">second leading cause of death<\/a> for people ages 10-34.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Suicide Risk Factors<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The CDC points to these <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/suicide\/risk-factors\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">warning signs<\/a> for suicide:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Increased anger or rage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Expressing hopelessness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sleeping too little or too much<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increased anxiety<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re seeing increasing anxiety, along with depression, as people are feeling more stressed about their lives and have increased fear for the future,\u201d Spira Care Behavioral Health Consultant Rick Zbinden said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), some of the <a href=\"https:\/\/sprc.org\/risk-and-protective-factors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">major risk factors<\/a> for suicide include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Misuse and abuse of alcohol or other drugs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Access to lethal means<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Chronic disease and disability<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mental disorders, particularly depression and other mood disorders<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Social isolation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn 2024, the U.S. Surgeon General said we have a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hhs.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">loneliness epidemic<\/a>,\u201d Zbinden said. \u201cWe used to be a society where neighborhoods and civic groups would support each other. Now, it feels like everyone is on their phone, and that overreliance on technology can increase social isolation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Suicide Prevention<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u201c<\/strong>I think you have to be up front with folks and not skirt the issue,\u201d Zbinden said. \u201cYou\u2019re not going to make someone more likely to harm themselves by talking about it. If you handle it well, it can be lifesaving.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SAMHSA points to these major <a href=\"https:\/\/sprc.org\/risk-and-protective-factors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">protective factors<\/a>, which are personal or environmental characteristics that help protect people from suicide:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sprc.org\/ensure-access-to-effective-care-and-treatment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Effective behavioral healthcare<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sprc.org\/promote-social-connectedness-and-support\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Connectedness<\/a>\u00a0to individuals, family, community and social institutions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Self-esteem and a sense of purpose or meaning in life<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sprc.org\/enhance-life-skills-and-resilience\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Life skills<\/a>\u00a0(including problem solving skills and coping skills, ability to adapt to change)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIf someone is not imminently ready to self-harm, we look at minimizing the risk factors and increasing the protective factors,\u201d Zbinden said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Zbinden says safety planning is important for suicide prevention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIf you are struggling, ask yourself, \u2018who might I talk to? What might I do to self-soothe?\u2019 This can be simple, like going for a walk or petting your dog. It\u2019s about what you can do to help get you through that moment. I always want people to know they can contact the <a href=\"https:\/\/988lifeline.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">988 Suicide &amp; Crisis Lifeline<\/a>, whether it\u2019s for themselves or for someone else. The 988 counselors can give resources and coaching.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Spira Care Behavioral Health Model<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For those on a Blue KC plan with exclusive access to <a href=\"https:\/\/spiracare.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spira Care<\/a>, you have access to behavioral health support for your whole family. Appointments with a Behavioral Health Consultant are available with a referral from your Spira Care Primary Care Provider. \u00a0A <a href=\"https:\/\/spiracare.com\/care-centers\/meet-your-care-teams\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC)<\/a> is a licensed mental health clinician who can help you navigate difficult situations, health conditions and the challenges of every phase of life, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Stress and anxiety<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Depression<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sleep issues<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Managing chronic health conditions (examples: diabetes, high blood pressure, pain management)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Substance misuse (examples: alcohol, tobacco, vaping, weight issues)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>And more<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Meet the Spira Care Behavioral Health Consultants Team<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/09\/Spira-Care-BHCs-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/09\/Spira-Care-BHCs-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/09\/Spira-Care-BHCs-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/09\/Spira-Care-BHCs-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/09\/Spira-Care-BHCs.png 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Beth Stanton, Spira Care Olathe:<\/strong> \u201cThe Spira model is unique in that behavioral health is embedded within a primary care clinic.\u00a0This allows for early intervention for a variety of issues before situations get worst.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Gretchen Wells, Spira Care Lee\u2019s Summit: <\/strong>\u201cI love my job because I get to walk alongside people in their hardest moments and help them see hope and possibility again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Jeneb Coleman, Spira Care Independence: <\/strong>\u201cWorking with a Spira Care BHC can provide an essential resource for patients to feel more control in their health journey by connecting medical goals to daily action steps, which decreases medical anxiety.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Megan Ross, Spira Care Wyandotte and Tiffany Springs:<\/strong> \u201cMany patients have found that even a few sessions can make a meaningful difference. We\u2019re here to listen, not to judge, and to walk alongside them at their own pace.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Joanne Speed, Spira Care Shawnee:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cI joined Spira Care because I believe behavioral health services should be seen as a standard part of traditional healthcare and be accessible for anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Jhessika Jordan-Mena, Spira Care Overland Park:<\/strong> \u201cI love that I\u00a0can utilize my skills to help patients in need and seeing their individual progress is the most rewarding feeling. Also, being the only bilingual BHC at Spira Care brings another opportunity to Spanish speaking patients who feel more comfortable in connecting with someone who speaks their own language.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Rick Zbinden, Spira Care Crossroads:<\/strong> \u201cNo one is immune to mental health challenges. Seeking help does not mean you are \u201cweak\u201d or \u201cfailing\u201d in any way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Harley Hawkins, Spira Care Liberty:<\/strong> \u201cWe provide behavioral health warm handoffs, which mean members can have access to behavioral health intervention almost immediately when they come to the center.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Sources: CDC, SAMHSA, 988<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Disclaimer: If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Department. In case of a mental health emergency, call or text 988.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\r\n\t\t\t<div id=\"daexthefu-container\"\r\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"daexthefu-container daexthefu-layout-side-by-side daexthefu-alignment-left\"\r\n\t\t\t\tdata-post-id=\"11460\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-feedback\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-text\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"daexthefu-title\">Was this helpful?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-buttons-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-buttons\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-yes daexthefu-button daexthefu-button-type-icon\" data-value=\"1\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n                <svg>\r\n                    <defs>\r\n                        <style>.thumb-up-cls-1{fill:#c9c9c9;}.thumb-up-cls-2{fill:#e1e1e1;}.thumb-up-cls-3{fill:#676767;}<\/style>\r\n                    <\/defs>\r\n                    <g id=\"thumb_up\">\r\n                        <path class=\"thumb-up-cls-2 daexthefu-icon-circle\" d=\"m24,3c11.58,0,21,9.42,21,21s-9.42,21-21,21S3,35.58,3,24,12.42,3,24,3m0-1C11.85,2,2,11.85,2,24s9.85,22,22,22,22-9.85,22-22S36.15,2,24,2h0Z\" \/>\r\n                        <g>\r\n                            <rect class=\"thumb-up-cls-3 daexthefu-icon-secondary-color\" x=\"10\" y=\"20\" width=\"6\" height=\"15\" rx=\"1.5\" ry=\"1.5\" \/>\r\n                            <path class=\"thumb-up-cls-1 daexthefu-icon-primary-color\" d=\"m30.57,9.06l-.49-.1c-.81-.17-1.61.35-1.78,1.16l-5.3,11.74c-.17.81,3.16,1.61,3.97,1.78l1.96.41c.81.17,1.61-.35,1.78-1.16l2.18-10.27c.34-1.61-.7-3.21-2.31-3.56Z\" \/>\r\n                            <path class=\"thumb-up-cls-1 daexthefu-icon-primary-color\" d=\"m38.17,20h-18.67c-.83,0-1.5.67-1.5,1.5v12c0,.83.67,1.5,1.5,1.5h16.27c.71,0,1.33-.5,1.47-1.21l2.4-12c.19-.93-.53-1.8-1.47-1.8Z\" \/>\r\n                        <\/g>\r\n                    <\/g>\r\n                <\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-no daexthefu-button daexthefu-button-type-icon\" data-value=\"0\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n                <svg>\r\n                    <defs>\r\n                        <style>.thumb-down-cls-1{fill:#c9c9c9;}.thumb-down-cls-2{fill:#e1e1e1;}.thumb-down-cls-3{fill:#676767;}<\/style>\r\n                    <\/defs>\r\n                    <g id=\"thumb_down\">\r\n                        <path class=\"thumb-down-cls-2 daexthefu-icon-circle\" d=\"m24,3c11.58,0,21,9.42,21,21s-9.42,21-21,21S3,35.58,3,24,12.42,3,24,3m0-1C11.85,2,2,11.85,2,24s9.85,22,22,22,22-9.85,22-22S36.15,2,24,2h0Z\" \/>\r\n                        <g>\r\n                            <rect class=\"thumb-down-cls-3 daexthefu-icon-secondary-color\" x=\"10\" y=\"13\" width=\"6\" height=\"15\" rx=\"1.5\" ry=\"1.5\" \/>\r\n                            <path class=\"thumb-down-cls-1 daexthefu-icon-primary-color\" d=\"m30.57,38.94l-.49.1c-.81.17-1.61-.35-1.78-1.16l-5.3-11.74c-.17-.81,3.16-1.61,3.97-1.78l1.96-.41c.81-.17,1.61.35,1.78,1.16l2.18,10.27c.34,1.61-.7,3.21-2.31,3.56Z\" \/>\r\n                            <path class=\"thumb-down-cls-1 daexthefu-icon-primary-color\" d=\"m38.17,28h-18.67c-.83,0-1.5-.67-1.5-1.5v-12c0-.83.67-1.5,1.5-1.5h16.27c.71,0,1.33.5,1.47,1.21l2.4,12c.19.93-.53,1.8-1.47,1.8Z\" \/>\r\n                        <\/g>\r\n                    <\/g>\r\n                <\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-comment\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-comment-top-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<label id=\"daexthefu-comment-label\" class=\"daexthefu-comment-label\"><\/label>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-comment-character-counter-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"daexthefu-comment-character-counter-number\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"daexthefu-comment-character-counter-number\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-comment-character-counter-text\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<textarea id=\"daexthefu-comment-textarea\" class=\"daexthefu-comment-textarea\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplaceholder=\"Type your message\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tmaxlength=\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t400\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"><\/textarea>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-comment-buttons-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"daexthefu-comment-submit daexthefu-button\">Submit<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"daexthefu-comment-cancel daexthefu-button\">Cancel<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-successful-submission-text\">Thanks for your feedback!<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States and impacts people of all ages, according to the CDC. Suicide Risk Factors The CDC points to these warning signs for suicide: \u201cWe\u2019re seeing increasing anxiety, along&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":11469,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_helpful_status":1,"_analytify_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[34,15],"tags":[61],"post-on-community-impact":[],"class_list":["post-11460","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-behavioral-health","category-healthier-living","tag-members-employer-group"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Suicide Prevention and Awareness with Spira Care | Blue KC<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Blue KC members on a plan with exclusive access to Spira Care can connect to behavioral health 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