COLLABORATIVE ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF SUICIDALITY IN THE AFTERCARE FOCUS STUDY: COSTS, BENEFITS, COST-EFFECTIVENESS, AND COST-BENEFIT

This dissertation by Phoebe McCutchan examines whether the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) — a suicide-focused therapy — offers economic advantages over standard care for recently discharged psychiatric patients. Using data from a randomized controlled trial, the study finds that CAMS was less costly, comparably or more effective at reducing suicidal ideation, and more cost-effective and cost-beneficial than standard care, suggesting it delivers better value in resource-constrained healthcare settings.