LSF zero suicide project - the LSF zero suicide project will support the scaling of our zero suicide initiative which began in 2020 in DUVAL county, (DUVAL) florida

The project will focus on adults ages 18 and older, with emphasis on underserved and minority populations, specifically individuals identifying as black, hispanic, lgbtq or veteran. The LSF zero suicide project will implement the zero suicide framework through its network of 17 nonprofit mental health service providers in DUVAL to ensure an integrated system of suicide care, referral, suicide prevention gatekeeper training, suicide prevention therapies training, linkages to treatment and transition services to effectively intervene in the lives of individuals at risk of suicide. LSF was one of the first to adopt and introduce the zero suicide model to providers in the area and through this grant will bring to scale a suicide care management system for all providers in the county. This project will develop and implement relevant trainings for both the non-clinical and clinical healthcare workforce in DUVAL with an emphasis on collaborating and highlighting best practices, case studies, and care models from providers that are further along in applying the framework. The successful link to life suicide prevention team piloted in 2020 through a samhsa covid-19 emergency response suicide prevention grant with grant partner mental health recourse center (MHRC) will continue under this grant as a best practice model for intervention and care coordination. Project goals include 1) lead a system-wide culture change in DUVAL committed to reducing suicides by establishing the DUVAL county zero suicide oversight steering council and completing the zero suicide organizational self-study and workforce survey across the system of care; 2) train DUVAL's clinical and non-clinical healthcare workforce using data from the workforce survey to ensure providers have access to the evidence-based trainings needed to incorporate the zero suicide framework across their organization; 3) identify and assess individuals who have been determined to be at medium or high risk for suicide within 1 business day of referral; 4) engage 100% of screened individuals at risk for suicide and develop a safety plan with lethal means counseling at time of assessment; 5) treat individuals at risk with the most effective evidence-based practices, ensuring 80% of clients attend a minimum of 80% of each EBT service recommended for their treatment and that 85% of individuals enrolled in services receive at least one contact weekly during the first 30 days of enrollment.; 6) transition individuals using safety plans that will be monitored monthly to achieve a reduction in suicide risks after participating for at least 180 days; and 7) improve the system of care by developing a strategic plan, implementing quality improvement protocols across the system, and reviewing quarterly performance and outcome data to identify gaps, disparities, and barriers experienced by minority and vulnerable populations. Based on best practices from the DUVAL project, the zero suicide oversight steering council will oversee the development of a manual detailing how to implement the zero suicide framework system-wide (i.e. across a county) and a link to life suicide prevention care team, facilitating replication in the other 22 counties served by LSF in north florida.