The county saw suicide deaths decline from seven in 2016 to just one in 2024, significantly below the state average.

This success stems from a combination of factors. LCMHS established a dedicated Zero Suicide implementation team involving multiple local agencies and people with lived experience, ensuring broad community engagement. The team emphasized comprehensive suicide-specific training. When asked in 2024, the majority of clinical staff reported having received suicide prevention training and feeling comfortable asking direct questions about suicide risk. LCMHS also used the Zero Suicide Organizational Self-Study to identify care gaps and guide data-driven improvements.

LCMHS’s experience illustrates how sustained leadership, workforce development, and community collaboration can make the Zero Suicide framework effective in rural settings. Their approach offers practical insights for other communities looking to reduce suicide through coordinated, evidence-based efforts.