Creating Safer Care: Our Zero Suicide Initiative
At Our Family Health, we believe that every person experiencing emotional distress or thoughts of suicide deserves compassionate, timely and effective care.
Supporting those at risk.
With support from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), OFH is strengthening the way we identify, support and care for adults who may be at risk for suicide.
This work is part of the national Zero Suicide approach — an evidence-informed framework designed to make suicide prevention a routine and coordinated part of primary health care.
What Does Zero Suicide Mean for Our Patients?
Zero Suicide does not mean expecting patients to face difficult moments alone. It means creating a health care system that is better prepared to recognize when someone may need help and respond with compassion, safety and support.
As part of this initiative, OFH is strengthening our ability to:
Patients may be asked brief questions about emotional well-being, safety and thoughts of suicide as part of their care.
Our team is equipped to talk openly and compassionately about suicide and emotional distress.
When someone may be at risk, we can work together to identify warning signs, coping strategies, supportive people and resources that can help during a crisis.
When additional behavioral health or community services are needed, our team can help make those connections rather than leaving patients to navigate the system alone.
We are strengthening follow-up and communication when patients move between providers, services or levels of care.
OFH will use information about our services and outcomes to identify opportunities to make suicide prevention and behavioral health care safer and more effective.
It Is Okay to Talk About Suicide
Talking about thoughts of suicide can be difficult. Our goal is to create an environment where patients can speak openly about how they are feeling without shame or judgment.
Being asked about suicide does not mean that we assume you are suicidal. These conversations help our care team better understand what you are experiencing and determine whether additional support could be helpful.
If you are struggling, please tell us. You do not have to wait until you are in crisis to ask for help.
If You Need Help Right Now
If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress, having thoughts of suicide or facing a mental health crisis, you can reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 988, text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org
If there is an immediate life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
To reach Our Family Health during business hours, call (407) 869-6661.
About the Initiative
OFH's Zero Suicide initiative is supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and is part of our ongoing commitment to integrating physical health, behavioral health and patient safety throughout the care we provide.
The grant is supported in part by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Care That Sees the Whole Person
Behavioral health care at Our Family Health is integrated with your primary care, so the people treating your body and the people supporting your mental health work together.