Zero Suicide is a framework to improve suicide care for those within health and behavioral health systems. By addressing the seven elements of Zero Suicide, health systems will be ready to identify, treat, refer and ensure continuity of care for individuals at risk for suicide and suicidal behaviors.
Asking directly about suicide must be as routine as having a blood pressure check at every health care visit.
Four County Mental Health is dedicated to providing education and spreading awareness about suicide prevention.
Kansas Suicide Data:
Suicide is a major public health problem, with social, emotional and economic consequences. There are approximately one million suicides worldwide each year, and it is estimated that at least six people are affected by each suicide.
Mood disorders, particularly depression, are a major contributing risk factor in someone considering suicide. Alcohol and drug abuse increase the likelihood of self-injury. Evidence indicates that adequate prevention and treatment of depression and substance abuse can reduce suicide rates, as well as follow-up contact with those who have attempted suicide.
Zero Suicide Seven Elements:
- Lead a system-wide culture change committed to reducing suicide
- Train a competent, confident and caring workforce
- Identify and assess individuals with suicide risk via comprehensive screening and assessment
- Engage patients at risk for suicide in a care plan
- Treat suicidal thoughts and behaviors directly
- Transition: provide continuous and supportive contacts, especially after acute care
- Improve policies and procedures through continuous
Four County Zero Suicide Program:
- Four County Mental Health Center provides accessible, community-based services throughout Southeast Kansas, including crisis support and prevention resources.
- Suicidal warning signs may include talking about hopelessness, increased substance use, mood swings, or withdrawing from loved ones.
- Protective factors like strong family connections, mental health care access, and limiting access to lethal means can reduce the risk of suicide.
- Immediate action can save lives—ask direct questions, listen without judgment, and help remove potential means like firearms or medications.
Join us as we Lead, Train, Identify, Engage, Treat, Transition and Improve.
Upcoming Events:
QPR Training
• Independence: Thursday, October 15 at the Independence Public Library. 1:00-2:30 pm.
• Winfield: Wednesday, October 21 at the Winfield Public Library. 10:30am – 12:00pm.
• Coffeyville: Wednesday, November 18 at the Coffeyville Public Library. 10:30am – 12:00pm.
• Independence: Monday, December 14 at the Independence Public Library. 1:30 – 3:00pm.
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) is a one hour emergency response training, similar to CPR, but targets how anyone in the community can help someone in a suicide specific crisis find the support they need. Participants will learn how to recognize the warning signs of suicide, increase awareness of stigma, understand that suicide is a public health issue, know how to offer hope, know how to access local and national resources, and know how to get help and save a life. This training is open to both adults and adolescents.
CALM Training
• Independence: Tuesday, November 24 at the Independence Public Library. 3:00 – 5:00pm.
Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) Conversations is a two-hour training designed to provide, friends, family, and community members with information on how to recognize and respond to suicide risk and how to create safer homes and communities.
Participants will learn how to talk to someone who may be having suicidal thoughts in a collaborative, nonjudgmental, and supportive manner. Participants will learn facts and misconceptions, common risk factors and warning signs, the importance of means safety, how to ask about mood and suicide, how to provide support to at risk individuals, and how to make the environment safer for an individual until their mood improves. This training is open to adults only.
For interest or questions, contact Rachael Miles at rmiles@fourcounty.com or 620-331-1748.
These trainings are free. Registration is encouraged, but not required.
Dive Deeper: Explore suicide prevention and outreach resources and access additional support tools.
Some links on this page lead to external websites and resources provided by third parties. These links are provided for your convenience and informational purposes only. Four County Mental Health does not endorse or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of any information on these external sites.