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In 2011, the Suicide Care in Systems Framework traced its inspiration to four model programs, and itself sparked a revolution for health and behavioral health.
2015
The Atlanta Declaration – In September, a group of 45 service users, healthcare providers and government policy makers gathered in Georgia. The International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership match created an international consensus document and plan for expanding the social movement.
Suicide Clinical Pathway – In June, US News & World Report described the systematic transformation of the largest non-profit Community Mental Health Center in the country, Centerstone America, and its ambitious Zero Suicide protocols which reduced its suicide death rate 65% in less than two years.
UK Country-wide Initiative – In January, UK Deputy PM Nick Clegg promised a “Zero Suicide” campaign of charities, voluntary organizations, and the NHS in “every part of England.” He referenced pilots in Merseyside, the east of England, and the southwest that have employed the Henry Ford model.
2014
Washington DC Academy – The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) funds the first cohort of 16 organizations and 48 leaders to develop implementation plans. Faculty include champions from IFH, Centerstone America and Group Health. The SPRC organizes and hosts the event.
1st International Zero Suicide Summit – Leaders from New Zealand, the UK, the US and the Netherlands met at IIMHL in Oxford, UK. Dutch psychiatrist Jan Mokkenstorm: “We are at the beginning of this journey and start out from the core value that not one of our patients should die alone and in despair.”
2012
Revised US National Strategy – In 2012, the US Surgeon General and the National Action Alliance published a revised national strategy with new goals 8 and 9, calling for suicide prevention to become a “core component” of health care, and for improved professional and clinical practices, respectively.
National Council Magazine – “Suicide Prevention is Everybody’s Business: Not Another Life to Lose” special edition included the Surgeon General’s revised US National Strategy, and articles by more than 50 leaders bridging the suicide prevention and community mental health fields.
Lancet While et al Research – England & Wales mental health services implemented recommendations to improve care from 1997 – 2006. These were associated with lower suicide rates, and 24 hour crisis care was associated with the biggest reduction.
2011
Suicide Care in Systems Framework – In 2011, a task force of the National Action Alliance set out to identify the best practice toolkit of interventions for clinical care staff. The group was captivated by the cultural and system changes of the pioneers below, and designed and published a framework for replication.
2009
Programmatic Suicide Deterrent – Arizona DHS and Magellan Health challenged the provider network to eliminate health plan suicides. In 2011, Behavioral Healthcare cited a 38% reduction in deaths, decreased hospitalizations and dramatic increases in staff confidence.
2005
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Prior to 2000, there was little research on crisis call center effectiveness, and credibility was low. Since 2005, Link2Health has dramatically increased calls and capacity, started a Veteran’s hotline, added chat technology, and introduced best practice standards now utilized worldwide.
2001
Henry Ford Health System – After becoming a finalist for a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant, Don Berwick challenged the HFHS team to pursue perfection. A nurse staff member suggested that would mean zero suicide deaths. Within four years, their death rate had decreased by 75 percent.
1996
DSM IV-TR Revision – Prominent suicidologists, argued successfully, albeit erroneously, that suicide is not a healthcare issue. They kept suicide out of the mental health Bible, the DSM, stating, “suicide is, by definition, not a disease, but a death that is caused by a self-inflicted intentional action or behavior.”
US Air Force – “[At the start] there was a lot of debate about whether or not it was even possible to reduce suicide through this type of an effort,” according to David Litts. “A lot of people, including mental health practitioners, were skeptical. But over a six-year period, the suicide rate dropped by one-third.”
davidwcovington.com 