‘Zero Suicide Model’ in hospitals reduces patient suicides

Hospitals can decrease suicides and suicide attempts through patient screening, safety planning and mental health counseling, according to a study. Begun in 2001 at Henry Ford Health in Detroit, the “Zero Suicide Model” initially involved Henry Ford Health collaborating with patients to reduce their access to firearms and follow up with treatment. In 2009, Henry Ford Health saw zero suicides among patients. Researchers then studied the intervention at Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente from 2012 to 2019. Reductions at Kaiser Permanente’s four locations varied but reached up to 25% ─ or between 165 to 170 fewer suicide attempts each year. Researchers say the results, published in JAM Network Open, support the model’s widespread implementation in U.S. hospitals. (AP article, 4/8/25)