Hospitals encouraged to apply for Zero Suicide Academy

Posted on: 5/16/18

As medical professionals, you are likely aware of the serious problem of suicide in our state. Did you know 37 percent of individuals without a mental health or chemical dependency diagnosis who die by suicide make an ED visit within a year of their death? Is there something that hospitals can do to prevent death by suicide in Oklahoma?

The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) will be hosting a Zero Suicide Academy June 27-28 and hospitals are encouraged to apply for acceptance. Zero Suicide is a key concept of the 2012 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (NSSP), which calls for suicide prevention to be a core component of health care services and for the implementation of effective clinical and professional practices for assessing and treating those at risk for suicide.

The Zero Suicide model aims to improve care and outcomes for individuals at risk of suicide seen in health care systems. To assist health and behavioral health care organizations in developing and implementing a Zero Suicide approach, www.zerosuicide.com offers an evolving online toolkit. Zero Suicide is a comprehensive approach, which includes seven dimensions.

The Zero Suicide Academy™ is a two-day training for senior leaders of health and behavioral health care organizations that seek to dramatically reduce suicides among patients in their care. Using the Zero Suicide framework, participants learn how to incorporate best and promising practices into their organizations and processes to improve care and safety for individuals at risk. Zero Suicide faculty provide both interactive presentations and small group sessions, and collaborate with participants to develop organization-specific action plans.

To apply, click here. Applications are due May 24. If you have questions, contact Isela Pérez, MS, [email protected].