The Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester (MHCGM) was recently featured as a Case Study by the Zero Suicide Institute after showing positive suicide prevention and patient safety outcomes following the implementation of the model in 2018. The foundational belief of Zero Suicide is that suicide deaths for individuals under the care of health and behavioral health systems are generally preventable. For systems dedicated to improving patient safety, Zero Suicide presents an aspirational challenge and practical framework for system-wide transformation toward suicide prevention and care to save lives.

MHCGM was recognized as an organization who has demonstrated that Zero Suicide can be feasibly implemented in ordinary care settings with significant reductions in suicide deaths and other related measures. During its first year of implementation, MHCGM experienced a 44% decrease in death by suicide for people in active treatment and a 94% diversion rate from hospital emergency rooms.

“In early 2018, MHCGM set the implementation of the Zero Suicide framework as a priority and changes to our organization have occurred—and will continue to occur—at every level, from scheduling staff protocols to service delivery. We couldn’t be more pleased that our organization will serve as a model for others to learn from.” said William Rider, President and CEO of The Mental Health Center. There is an opportunity for health care systems to make a real difference by transforming how patients are screened and the care they receive. “At MHCGM, Zero Suicide has created an “all hands-on deck” mindset to ensure that people who put their trust in us will experience that we are laser focused on their safety and their recovery” added Rider.

In addition to reducing suicides, the benefits of the Zero Suicide framework have included a spectrum of care improvements including quality of care enhancements and longer-term outcomes such as decreases in hospitalizations, and cost savings in the community (i.e. first responders, police and fire).

Zero Suicide takes a system-wide approach to improve outcomes and close gaps. For health and behavioral health care systems, Zero Suicide represents a commitment to patient safety and a culture of support for care providers. “Because of the investment we have made in trainings, assessments and safety planning, we believe The Center is a suicide safer behavioral health provider” said Rider.