Suicide Prevention - Manidookewigashkibjigan
ZERO SUICIDE
The Zero Suicide Project at American Indian Health and Family Services is a suicide prevention initiative designed to provide improved suicide care for adults aged 25+ in the Southeast Michigan area. Zero Suicide is funded by the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration to operate between 2018 and 2023. The goals and objectives of the Zero Suicide Project are based on the national framework for the Zero Suicide Approach, which is promoted by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center. The Zero Suicide Project is pursued in collaboration with the University of Michigan Collaborative Spirit of Hope and Wellness and Community Healing Project.
Heba Elsayed, BS, Program Manager, helsayed@aihfs.org
Jordan Blechert, MA, Program Assistant, jblechert@aihfs.org
Mary Alice Bernier, Behavioral Health Director/Clinical Supervisor, mabernier@aihfs.org
If you have any questions regarding Zero Suicide at American Indian Health and Family Services, please contact the Zero Suicide Program staff above or email our Zero Suicide inbox at zerosuicide@aihfs.org. You can also contact AIHFS Administration Office between 9 am and 5 pm, Mondays through Fridays at 313-846-3718.
Mission Statement
We believe that we can reach and sustain Zero Suicides amongst adults served by our behavioral health clinic, medical clinic, and community wellness programs. Any individual suffering from suicidal ideation or at risk of suicide deserves timely, consistent, and culturally appropriate care. We believe that we can achieve a perfect system of care for those at risk of suicide. We will utilize the 7 Elements of the Zero Suicide model – Lead, Train, Identify, Engage, Treat, Transition, and Improve – as a catalyst for systemic change and improvement of suicide prevention and management at American Indian Health and Family Services. Our Zero Suicide program will rely on aggressive collaboration and innovation across departments, professions, disciplines, and community-cultural lines. We will utilize the latest research and treatment methods, while respecting and including traditional medicine and healing available in our community as a bulwark of our prevention model. As a result of the implementation of the Zero Suicide model, the total population of adults served by our behavioral clinic, medical clinic, and family and community programs, as well as those amongst our staff and volunteers, will reach and maintain Zero Suicides.
We believe that we can reach and sustain Zero Suicides amongst adults served by our behavioral health clinic, medical clinic, and community wellness programs. Any individual suffering from suicidal ideation or at risk of suicide deserves timely, consistent, and culturally appropriate care. We believe that we can achieve a perfect system of care for those at risk of suicide. We will utilize the 7 Elements of the Zero Suicide model – Lead, Train, Identify, Engage, Treat, Transition, and Improve – as a catalyst for systemic change and improvement of suicide prevention and management at American Indian Health and Family Services. Our Zero Suicide program will rely on aggressive collaboration and innovation across departments, professions, disciplines, and community-cultural lines. We will utilize the latest research and treatment methods, while respecting and including traditional medicine and healing available in our community as a bulwark of our prevention model. As a result of the implementation of the Zero Suicide model, the total population of adults served by our behavioral clinic, medical clinic, and family and community programs, as well as those amongst our staff and volunteers, will reach and maintain Zero Suicides.
The 7 Elements of Zero Suicide:
Create a Leadership-driven, safety-oriented culture committed to reducing suicide among people under care, and include survivors of suicide attempts and suicide loss in leadership and planning roles.
Train and develop a competent, confident, and caring workforce.
Identify and assess suicide risk and substance abuse among people receiving care.
Engage individuals in ensuring that they have a pathway to care that is timely, adequate meets their needs, and includes a collaborative safety plan and means restriction.
Treat with evidence-based treatments that target suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Provide treatments and services connected to Practice Based Evidence (Traditional Medicine, Traditional Healing).
Transition to the provision of continuous contact and support, especially after acute care.
Improve our system by applying data-driven, quality improvement approaches to inform system changes to lead to improved patient outcomes and care for those at risk.
Create a Leadership-driven, safety-oriented culture committed to reducing suicide among people under care, and include survivors of suicide attempts and suicide loss in leadership and planning roles.
Train and develop a competent, confident, and caring workforce.
Identify and assess suicide risk and substance abuse among people receiving care.
Engage individuals in ensuring that they have a pathway to care that is timely, adequate meets their needs, and includes a collaborative safety plan and means restriction.
Treat with evidence-based treatments that target suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Provide treatments and services connected to Practice Based Evidence (Traditional Medicine, Traditional Healing).
Transition to the provision of continuous contact and support, especially after acute care.
Improve our system by applying data-driven, quality improvement approaches to inform system changes to lead to improved patient outcomes and care for those at risk.
We can always gain new skills in crisis intervention, suicide prevention and systemic change to improve suicide prevention. The Zero Suicide Project can provide training, materials, resources, and information to assist you and your organization in improving suicide prevention capability. Please contact the Zero Suicide Project at American Indian Health and Family Services if you or your organization are interested in receiving information on the following trainings:
Trainings and Resources
SafeTALK
Mental Health First Aid
Suicide to HOPE
LivingWorks Start (online suicide awareness training)
Zero Suicide Foundational Overview
Screening for Suicide at your organization
Assistance with Implementing the Zero
Suicide model at your organization
Hope and Wellness Screening
The Zero Suicide Project regularly provides free Hope and Wellness Screenings, a comprehensive screening for suicide risk, at community events and for health care and social service organizations. Participants in the Hope and Wellness Screening receive referrals and information on resources, a follow up call, a $20 gift card, and a gift. We also offer the Hope and Wellness Screening at our Agency on a scheduled basis. Please contact us if you are interested in providing these screenings at your organization to improve identification of individuals at risk for suicide, or if you would like training in the Hope and Wellness Screening and the Hope and Wellness Toolkit.
Zero Suicide AIHFS YouTube Playlist (In the Works)
Motivation, Inspiration, Achievement, Systemic Change, Community, Individual and Organizational Health, Aspiration Goals, HopeFULness…these are but a few key aspects of our approach to suicide prevention. Our YouTube playlist, will display speeches, motivational talks, instructional or teaching videos (TEDTalk), content related to the Zero Suicide Approach (for advocates, clinicians, healthcare workers, and healthcare organizations), motivational videos and music, and resources focused on improvement of mental health. The YouTube playlist will also feature videos and multimedia recording of Zero Suicide activities and events.
The Zero Suicide AIHFS YouTube playlist is always under development. Suggestions for material and videos can be sent to zerosuicide@aihfs.org.
Trainings and Resources
SafeTALK
Mental Health First Aid
Suicide to HOPE
LivingWorks Start (online suicide awareness training)
Zero Suicide Foundational Overview
Screening for Suicide at your organization
Assistance with Implementing the Zero
Suicide model at your organization
Hope and Wellness Screening
The Zero Suicide Project regularly provides free Hope and Wellness Screenings, a comprehensive screening for suicide risk, at community events and for health care and social service organizations. Participants in the Hope and Wellness Screening receive referrals and information on resources, a follow up call, a $20 gift card, and a gift. We also offer the Hope and Wellness Screening at our Agency on a scheduled basis. Please contact us if you are interested in providing these screenings at your organization to improve identification of individuals at risk for suicide, or if you would like training in the Hope and Wellness Screening and the Hope and Wellness Toolkit.
Zero Suicide AIHFS YouTube Playlist (In the Works)
Motivation, Inspiration, Achievement, Systemic Change, Community, Individual and Organizational Health, Aspiration Goals, HopeFULness…these are but a few key aspects of our approach to suicide prevention. Our YouTube playlist, will display speeches, motivational talks, instructional or teaching videos (TEDTalk), content related to the Zero Suicide Approach (for advocates, clinicians, healthcare workers, and healthcare organizations), motivational videos and music, and resources focused on improvement of mental health. The YouTube playlist will also feature videos and multimedia recording of Zero Suicide activities and events.
The Zero Suicide AIHFS YouTube playlist is always under development. Suggestions for material and videos can be sent to zerosuicide@aihfs.org.
Zero Suicide is always seeking active volunteers to:
Assist with trainings (must hold up to date instructor certification)
Participate in Community Focus Groups
Provide advice from Lived Experience on how best to achieve program objectives
Outreach and networking
Assist with screening events as a screener (must meet requirements to provide screenings)
Assist with Traditional Medicine and Ceremonies (Fire keeper for Sweat Lodges, Participation in Men’s or Women’s groups)
Assist with trainings (must hold up to date instructor certification)
Participate in Community Focus Groups
Provide advice from Lived Experience on how best to achieve program objectives
Outreach and networking
Assist with screening events as a screener (must meet requirements to provide screenings)
Assist with Traditional Medicine and Ceremonies (Fire keeper for Sweat Lodges, Participation in Men’s or Women’s groups)
