Zero Suicide is a key concept of the 2012 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. It uses a “programmatic approach” to quality improvement, based on the realization that suicidal individuals often fall through the cracks in a “sometimes fragmented and distracted” health care system.
A task force identified 7 essential elements of care for health and behavioral health care systems to adopt, including promoting a “safety-oriented” culture, training a competent and caring workforce, using evidence-based treatments, and providing continuous contact and support. The program represents a commitment to both patient safety and to the safety and support of clinical staff who care for suicidal patients.
The Zero Suicide tool kit includes readings, videos, webinars, and other resources, such as a Mental Health Guide developed by the VA to ensure a “safe and therapeutically enriching environment” and a checklist to review inpatient mental health units for environmental hazards. The tool kit also provides thoughtful supplements, such as hospital care cards to send to patients after discharge and a “caring letter template” that includes caring phrases in the Puyallup language with English translations.
The 8 facilities receiving grants are Apache Behavioral Health Service in Whiteriver, Arizona; Chinle Comprehensive Healthcare Facility in Arizona; Fort Defiance Indian Hospital Board in Arizona; Gallup Indian Medical Center in New Mexico; Lawton Indian Hospital in Oklahoma; Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin in Keshena; Pueblo of Acoma in New Mexico; and Rocky Boy Health Board, Box Elder in Montana.