(PS5-98) Optimizing Recovery in Firearm Injury Survivors: An Integrated Model for Addressing Mental Health and Social Needs

Abstract Text: Every year, about 700,000 individuals aged 10-24 present to emergency departments for non-fatal violent injuries (e.g., gunshot wound, stabbing, assault) putting them at higher risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and unmet social needs. Violent injury survivors are among the most vulnerable and hardest to reach. Fewer than 20% of trauma centers in the US routinely screen for PTSD, and less than 10% have hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs) to address social needs, support recovery and prevent reinjury. Research underscores the need for targeted, long-term follow-up care for violent injury survivors including support for emotional, social and functional recovery. Launched in 2015 at our Level I trauma center, the Trauma Resilience and Recovery Program (TRRP) addresses the mental health needs of traumatic injury patients through bedside screening and follow-up intervention. Our data shows that violent injury survivors experienced higher PTSD and depressive symptoms 30 days post-injury compared to those with non-violent injuries, and face more significant barriers to accessing mental health services than non-violent injury survivors. Launched in 2021, the Turning the Tide Violence Intervention Program (TTVIP), the only HVIP in South Carolina, provides wraparound services to address unmet social needs of violent injury patients, through direct services and referral to local healthcare and community-based services and resources. While both TRRP and TTVIP have improved access and quality of care, violent injury patients continue to experience disproportionately high risk of PTSD and depression, along with significant unmet mental health needs. With support from the Duke Endowment Foundation, our teams integrated TRRP and TTVIP into a comprehensive, trauma-informed care model designed to achieve equitable outcomes. This integrated approach ensures that our programs effectively address competing social needs and reduce barriers to best-practice mental health services, ultimately promoting recovery and long-term well-being. Over the past six months, we have engaged 54 violent injury patients admitted to our trauma center, with 88% agreeing to enroll in follow-up services. At 30 days post-injury, 26 patients were screened, and 53% screened positive for PTSD and/or depression. Notably, 75% of patients engaged in outpatient mental health services—a higher rate than seen in the TRRP model—highlighting the critical role of addressing social needs alongside mental health care. These findings underscore the importance of integrated care models in improving access, engagement, and overall well-being for violent injury patients. This poster will present data on patient outcomes and program integration and implementation.