Understanding the Gaps in Mental Health Services for Trauma Patients at Risk for PTSD and Suicidality

A survey is being conducted by Brendan King, a medical student at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine with the support of Catherine Velopulos, MD, MHS, FASC. The purpose of this survey is to understand the awareness and uptake of the ACS/COT “Best practices guidelines: screening and intervention for mental health disorders and substance use and misuse in the acute trauma patient” through a national survey of trauma leaders.

Each year in the U.S., 2.5 to 3.5 million people are hospitalized for traumatic injuries, many requiring surgery. These patients are at increased risk for psychiatric conditions, like PTSD. These mental health challenges can lead to worse outcomes, including recurrent trauma, hospitalization, and even suicide. In response, trauma centers have piloted collaborative care models that integrate mental health treatment into trauma care, showing promising results. This research has led the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma to publish best practice guidelines promoting mental health screening and intervention for trauma patients. However, despite these guidelines, it remains unclear how widely they have been adopted. This study aims to address that gap by examining the current level of awareness and implementation among trauma care providers.

This is an anonymous, voluntary survey that should take only a few minutes to complete. By participating in this survey, you will help to provide a preliminary understanding of the mental health services that are being provided and the implementation of these guidelines. From this, we would hope to identify areas of improvement that can be acted upon to improve the care of trauma patients both in-hospital and post-discharge.

Please click here to participate: https://redcap.ucdenver.edu/surveys/?s=W7AFXWXT3AAA37J7

Open Date: 6-09-2025

Close Date: 8-31-2025