Alliance zero suicide framework: standardizing care for individuals at risk - alliance healthcare services will implement a systemwide zero suicide framework to strengthen suicide prevention for…

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded Alliance Healthcare Services $400,000 on September 30, 2026, under the Center for Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance program (CFDA 93.532) to implement a systemwide Zero Suicide Framework across outpatient and crisis services in Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee.

Alliance will standardize suicide risk identification, assessment, safety planning, monitoring, referral, and follow-up using the PHQ-9, C-SSRS, and Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk protocols for adults at risk. The organization will train clinical and non-clinical workforce in dialectical behavior therapy, cognitive behavior therapy for suicide prevention, and Question, Persuade, Refer. Electronic health record reporting and continuous quality improvement will support coordination across outpatient and crisis services, increase adoption of evidence-based suicide prevention interventions, strengthen follow-up after crisis contact, and enhance consistency of care.

The award runs through September 29, 2031, with place of performance in Memphis, Tennessee.

Alliance zero suicide framework: standardizing care for individuals at risk - alliance healthcare services will implement a systemwide zero suicide framework to strengthen suicide prevention for adults receiving outpatient and crisis services in memphis and shelby county, tennessee. Building on existing services, the project will standardize suicide risk identification, assessment, safety planning, monitoring, referral, and follow-up using the PHQ-9, C-ssrs, and assessing and managing suicide risk protocols. Workforce training will include dialectical behavior therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy for suicide prevention, and question, persuade, refer for non-clinical staff. Supported by electronic health record reporting and continuous quality improvement, the initiative will improve coordination across outpatient and crisis services, increase use of evidence-based interventions, strengthen follow-up after crisis, and enhance the quality and consistency of suicide prevention.