Adopting Zero Suicide Approach to Care

Child Focus Adopting Zero Suicide Approach to Care

Calendar-IconJuly 13, 2016
JULY 13, 2016

In the coming year, Child Focus will be adopting the Zero Suicide approach to suicide care, a comprehensive approach developed by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center and the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention. We believe this approach will improve the care and safety of our clients and their family members, thereby making our organization a safer, more fulfilling, place to work. 

As such, Child Focus, Inc. has made a commitment to improving the care we provide to the individuals we serve who are struggling with suicide. The most vital difference we can make through our work is to save lives. We hope to make suicide a “never event.” To some this may sound audacious, but simply put, one life lost to suicide is one too many. 

As we all know, the work of caring for individuals at risk for suicide is challenging.  Child Focus is committed to making sure our staff have the skills and confidence to treat these clients. This commitment goes beyond treatment of clients. This initiative will involve all Child Focus staff in all positions and departments in the agency. We want to ensure that all staff are equipped to know what to do when they encounter an individual thinking about suicide in any setting.  

We have established an implementation team for our Zero Suicide approach and strategy, led by Dr. Laura Stith and Denny Moell, Jr. MSW, LISW-S, CDCA.  Look for more information about this initiative in the coming months.   Suicide must not be an option for those who have entrusted us with their care.