Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States. And the suicide rate has grown slightly over the past decade. But a group of psychiatrists and health care professionals is working to change this trend. They’ve launched an initiative that aims to reduce the number of suicides to zero. It sounds impossible. But a health system in Michigan is reporting impressive results. After overhauling the way it screens and treats patients, it reduced the number of suicides by eighty percent. And one year, no suicides were reported. Now others are trying to replicate this success. Diane and a panel of guests discuss the “Zero Suicide” initiative.

Guests

  • Julie Goldstein Grumet clinical psychologist, and director, Health and Behavioral Health Initiative, Suicide Prevention Resource Center at the Education Development Center
  • David Jobes professor of psychology, Catholic University, and clinical psychologist
  • Brian Ahmedani director of psychiatry research, behavioral health services department, Henry Ford Health System in Michigan
  • Diana Cortez Yanez public speaker on suicide prevention strategies. She has been treated for being suicidal and depressed.