Children’s Hospital of Michigan is leading an effort to increase resources and training around suicide prevention. The emergency department at Children’s Hospital of Michigan’s new commitment is aimed at improving the care of patients who are struggling with suicide risk.

This initiative is a partnership between Children’s Hospital of Michigan, the University of Michigan and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

Using the Zero Suicide framework, a comprehensive approach to suicide care developed by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center and the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, a team of experts in youth suicide prevention, including colleagues from the University of Michigan’s Department of Psychiatry and Psychiatric Emergency Services, will tailor efforts for youth and families that come in to Children’s Hospital of Michigan.

“The most vital difference we can make through our work is to save lives,” said Kathy Donovan, chief executive officer at Children’s Hospital of Michigan. “We hope to make suicide a “never event” in the children we serve. We are committed to making sure our staff has the skills and confidence to treat these patients.”

For the first step in the process, Children’s Hospital of Michigan is distributing a Zero Suicide workforce survey to all staff that will assess current knowledge, practices and confidence providing suicide prevention strategies. This survey will guide the selection of trainings Children’s Hospital of Michigan will offer staff over the coming weeks.

“Suicide must not be an option for those who have entrusted us with their care,” said Dr. Curt Stankovic, vice chief and medical director of emergency medicine at Children’s Hospital of Michigan. “We believe this approach will improve the care and safety of our patients, thereby making our organization a safer, and, hopefully, more fulfilling place to work.”