DSW Showcase Student Presentation

Andrea St. Clair

MSW, LICSW, BCD

Transforming Rural Healthcare Systems: A Zero Suicide Model Approach to Enhancing Access to Lifesaving Care

Concentration - Clinical Social Work

Abstract

This capstone project is a response to the urgent need for effective suicide prevention strategies in rural healthcare systems. These areas are grappling with significant challenges, such as geographic isolation, limited resources, and the pervasive stigma surrounding mental health. These factors collectively form formidable barriers to accessing crucial mental health care. At the heart of this project is the Zero Suicide Model (ZSM), a transformative and systemic approach that can be tailored to meet the needs of healthcare systems. By using General Systems Theory, the project aims to address the systemic inequities that lead to poor mental health outcomes. This led to the creation of the innovative Zero Suicide Model-Rural Healthcare (ZSM-RH). The ZSM-RH promotes the integration of suicide-informed services directly into rural healthcare settings and beyond, creating a proactive and evidence-based framework. This not only aims to decrease suicide rates but also enhances access to life-saving interventions throughout rural communities, offering a beacon of hope for the future. This optimization focuses on closing critical gaps in care, improving the training and resources available to providers, and cultivating a culture centered around patient safety. This research underscores the vital importance of collaboration among healthcare providers, social workers, and policymakers to improve mental health outcomes in rural communities. It emphasizes strategic resource allocation and tailored interventions to meet specific needs. The findings serve as a roadmap for professionals, highlighting their crucial role in reducing the impact of suicide in underserved areas.

Biography

Andrea St. Clair holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Master of Social Work, and Professional Certificate in Integrated Mental and Behavioral Health from West Virginia University and is currently a Doctoral Candidate in the Doctor of Social Work program at the University of Kentucky. She is also a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and a Board Certified Diplomate. Andrea is the Section Chief for a specialized program within the Veterans Crisis Line within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. In this capacity, she oversees initiatives and projects designed to support Service Members, Veterans, and their families who face complex care needs.

With over 15 years of professional experience, she specializes in suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention best practices. Her expertise and research interests include the advancement of innovative crisis prevention and intervention models, the development of strategies tailored to the unique needs of unserved and underserved populations, and postvention efforts to provide essential support to individuals and communities affected by suicide while fostering resilience and healing in the aftermath of loss.

Andrea hopes to continue championing the meaningful works of those in the field of suicidology. Her research interests include suicide prevention best practices with a focus on mitigating systemic barriers that impede rural and marginalized communities' access to mental healthcare. Her capstone project, Transforming Rural Healthcare Systems: A Zero Suicide Model Approach to Enhancing Access to Lifesaving Care, reflects her dedication to improving access to comprehensive, suicide-informed, lifesaving healthcare for all.