Bill sparks conflict about state’s role in regulating training for health care professionals

The Auburn Reporter

Washington State is considering an expansion to its recently established Suicide Assessment, Treatment, and Management Training Act. While the original bill, in effect since 2012, requires suicide prevention training for some health care professionals, the expansion would add several more categories to the mandate, including physicians, licensed practical nurses, chiropractors, and physical therapists. Supporters of the bill point to statistics (cited by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) that 45 percent of those who died by suicide sought help from a primary care provider within the preceding month, and contend that not enough providers are choosing suicide prevention education on a voluntary basis. Some health care professionals, however, are resistant to having the state set training requirements, and question whether the cost of providing additional training is the best use of resources. The bill also includes provisions for developing a statewide suicide prevention plan and an adult psychiatric pilot program.