Based on our structured interviews and the literature, we suggest that improved care linkages could substantially reduce the future burden of suicide. First, we recommend that every patient seen in an ED or trauma unit for attempted suicide should receive a comprehensive suicide risk assessment to determine the need for psychiatric hospitalization, and, if hospitalization is not warranted, then the individual should receive brief treatment or an intervention (brief education, development of a safety plan, lethal means counseling) before being discharged as well as receiving a rapid referral to a community‐based behavioral health provider. Second, inpatient psychiatric units should ensure that upon discharge, all suicidal patients are formally linked to broader behavioral and other social services in the community to ensure ongoing treatment for the underlying problems that precipitated the suicidal behaviors. Third, emergency departments, inpatient services, and communities should develop a comprehensive list of care providers and facilities for immediate preventive action and recruit on‐call suicide experts, which could include telepsychiatric support, to provide evaluation and treatment services to urgent cases. Sound coordination of networks, strong linkages, and referral
