A practical, systems-level framework for identifying suicide risk, providing brief support, and connecting people to community care.
We understand that individuals and families often engage with their local public health (LPH) department when they are feeling vulnerable, overwhelmed, or are disconnected from care.
Although they may come to you for STI testing, maternal and child health services, or to meet a myriad of other needs, these circumstances contribute to behavioral health challenges, including suicide risk. At the same time, supporting individuals with complex needs can negatively impact your staff—leading to burnout, workforce turnover, and lower job satisfaction.
Zero Suicide can help.
The questions many local health departments face are:
- How do we identify people at risk for suicide?
- How can we provide timely linkages to the appropriate community partners who can support safety and recovery?
- What tools can we provide our staff to help them feel competent and confident to support individuals with suicide risk while we help address their other needs?
Zero Suicide Provides an Answer
Zero Suicide is a systems-level quality improvement framework that helps organizations build safer, more consistent suicide care. For local public health departments, it offers a practical way to move beyond awareness and into clear action.
A Zero Suicide approach prioritizes:
- Universal Screening at Healthcare Visits
- Connection to Suicide Risk Assessments
- Collaborative Safety Planning
- Lethal Means Safety
- Supportive Care Transitions
- Referrals to Evidence-Based Suicide Care
- Data Collection and Fatality Reviews
- Continuous Quality Improvement