Zero Suicide Initiative: September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month

MUSC is part of a nationwide 'Zero Suicide Initiative' that works as a quality improvement model to help transform system-wide suicide prevention and care. This initiative helps us save lives and better protect our patients and care team members.

The most fundamental responsibility of health care is patient safety! At MUSC, the only acceptable number of losses due to an error in quality of care is zero. The Zero Suicide initiative applies this life-saving mindset to preventing suicide, the 10th leading cause of death in the nation.

Zero Suicide is based on the realization that people experiencing suicidal thoughts can fall through the cracks in a large health care system. Studies have shown that 50 percent of people who died by suicide saw a health care provider in the month before their death and 30 percent of these individuals saw a mental health professional. This tells us there is an opportunity for health care systems to make a real difference by transforming how patients are screened for suicide.

Implementation of the Zero Suicide model requires the recommitment of our staff to zero harm. To accomplish this initiative, MUSC is providing additional live education and training specific to suicide awareness and education. We are also educating staff on our new National Suicide Hotline, 988. Did you know 988 is now available nationwide and can be used for instant access to a crisis counselor? To access this service, you can call or text 988 from a cell phone, or call 1-800-273-8255 (TALK).

We also have reviewed our internal policies and procedures related to suicide and updated them to ensure we are providing the highest quality of care. MUSC has a variety of mental health programs for individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, feelings of hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts for both children and adults. These programs are designed both to prevent suicidal thoughts and to assist individuals when they are having them. Our mental health services expand the continuum of care and include both outpatient and inpatient services, with specialty services such as Eating Disorders and Brain Stimulation.

At MUSC, we are committed to partnering with our care staff and patients for our goal of Zero Suicide.

If you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts, call 9-8-8 to speak with someone immediately. We can help, too, by providing ongoing mental health care. Call 843-792-9888 to schedule an in-person or virtual visit at the MUSC Health Institute of Psychiatry.