Henry Ford Health's Zero Suicide Model, developed in 2001, has been shown to reduce suicide rates by up to 25% among participating health systems, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. According to MLive, this comes amid a rise in national suicide rates, which increased 25% from 2000 to 2021, with Michigan seeing a notable rise in suicide deaths.
The model trains health care providers to screen every patient for suicide risk. Dr. Brian Ahmedani, lead researcher and director of Henry Ford’s Center for Health Policy & Health Services Research, emphasized that more than 80% of people who die by suicide have health care visits in the months leading up to their deaths, as noted by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The goal is to identify signs of suicidal ideation early and create personalized safety plans for high-risk individuals.
The Zero Suicide Model has proven effective across various demographic groups, making it adaptable to diverse populations. Dr. Ahmedani stressed the importance of implementing the model successfully across different settings. In 2023, Henry Ford Health partnered with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan to train providers statewide on the Zero Suicide model through the MI Mind network.
Efforts are also underway to extend the model's reach into schools and the criminal justice system. Dr. Ahmedani emphasized the importance of community and health care system partnerships in suicide prevention. "Long term, I believe the solution to suicide prevention has to be a partnership between the community and the health care system," he said in a statement obtained by Mlive.
Dr. Ahmedani noted the goal is to go beyond a 25% reduction in suicides, aiming for continued progress. For those seeking support, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988) is available 24/7, as reported by ClickOnDetroit.
