Making the Case for Primary Care and Mandated Suicide Prevention Education

During its 2012 legislative session, Washington State passed ESHB 2366, otherwise known as the Matt Adler Suicide Assessment, Treatment, and Management Act of 2012. ESHB 2366 is a significant legislative achievement as it is the first law in the country to require certain health professionals to obtain continuing education in the assessment, treatment, and management of suicide risk as a requirement to obtain and maintain licensure. However, ESHB 2366 does not apply to primary care providers, an important next step for legislation that has as its goal to help lower the suicide rate in Washington. This commentary addresses objections raised against the law and potential responses as Washington considers strengthening its own law to include primary care providers and as other states consider similar legislation.