Clinical Initiatives
Suicide Prevention and Intervention Initiative
With Arizona ranked seventh highest in the nation for the number of reported suicides, Magellan Health Services of Arizona is focusing the spotlight on one of the most high-risk groups - those experiencing mental illness. It's a fact that individuals suffering from severe mental illness are six times more likely to die from suicide than the general population.
That's why Magellan has joined forces with the Arizona Department of Health Services' Division of Behavioral Health Services, Magellan's network of service providers, members of Arizona's judicial and legislative branches and other community stakeholders in a suicide prevention and intervention initiative. The goal is to help reduce the suicide rate in Maricopa County by equipping behavioral health-care staff with the skills, knowledge, attitudes and support to more effectively intervene and engage with those at
risk of suicide.
In 2010, more than 2,000 direct care provider staff will take part in a two-day Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), a program that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has identified as a best practice for its network of crisis centers nationwide. In addition, Magellan has committed to sponsoring a series of quarterly webinars focused on the latest research on suicide as well as the valuable experiences of those who have attempted suicide and are fighting the stigma by openly sharing their struggles.
To learn more, please read the overview and browse the resources listed below. The suicide prevention page can be reached quickly at any time by using the URL www.MagellanofAZ.com/Suicide.
Charter and Key Documents
- Steering Committee Charter
- Clinical Initiative Framework - Brief
- Clinical Initiative Framework - Detailed
- Workforce Survey PowerPoint (3MB)
Events
NEW! Replay of Driving Suicides to Zero: A Webinar with Justin Coffey, M.D.
In 2001 Henry Ford Health System's division of Behavioral Health Services set out to eliminate suicide among all patients with depression in its HMO network. This audacious goal was a key lever in a broader aim: achieve breakthrough improvement in quality and safety by completely redesigning depression care delivery using the Six Aims and Ten New Rules put forth in the Institute of Medicine report Crossing the Quality Chasm (Committee on Quality of Health Care, 2001).
To communicate this bold vision, the team named the initiative Perfect Depression Care. Today, Henry Ford can report a dramatic and sustained reduction in suicide that is unprecedented in the clinical and quality improvement literature. During this webinar, Dr. Justin Coffey will share the story of Henry Ford's pursuit of perfection, offering lessons learned along the way and practical strategies for beginning your own pursuit of perfection.
September 15, 2011 - Central Arizona Programmatic Suicide Prevention System Project recognized at the IASP World Congress in Beijing. See photos from the Peter Lee Gala Dinner and Awards ceremony.
ASIST Training Materials
- ASIST Progress Report (Updated: 07-19-11)
- Southwest Network and CHOICES ASIST Brochure
- TERROS ASIST Brochure
- Partners in Recovery and People of Color Network ASIST Brochure
- Provider feedback on ASIST training
- Trainee feedback on ASIST training
Suicide Attempt Survivor Support Group
As the next step in its ongoing Programmatic Suicide Deterrent System program, Magellan has chosen the Crisis Response Network, Inc. (CRN) to provide peer attempt survivor support groups for individuals who have survived a suicide attempt or have persistent suicidal thoughts. Services will specifically target Magellan-enrolled adult recipients with a serious mental illness.
The focus of these support groups will be to provide group participants with internal and external resources to help them manage situations when suicidal thoughts occur and to support them in their ongoing recovery. The groups will be facilitated by a trained peer facilitator with clinical support from a licensed clinician. The clinician will serve as an advisor and provide clinical support to the peer facilitator. Program staff will be employed by TERROS.
Referrals for the groups will come from provider network organizations and other Magellan-contracted providers, and the first group will form at a central location. As the program is implemented over the next few months, flyers listing the time and date of the group will be distributed to Magellan's providers who serve adults with a serious mental illness.
Thought Leadership
Suicide Prevention and Intervention Podcast Shines a Light on Life-and-Death Issue
It's a disturbing fact that Arizona ranks seventh highest in the nation per capita for suicides. And, the risk is exceptionally high-six times greater-for individuals challenged by serious mental illness. To address this issue, Magellan Health Services of Arizona produced an innovative audio podcast titled, "Suicide Prevention and Intervention in Maricopa County."
The podcast features compelling information and discussion about suicide by Katie Ayotte, a suicide survivor who now serves as an advocate for others challenged by mental health issues; David Covington, chief of adult services at Magellan Health Services of Arizona; Dale Rinard, chief executive officer of TERROS, a community-based behavioral health organization that helps people recover from substance abuse, mental illness and other behavioral health problems; and Allison Kjer, a master ASIST trainer.
The group discusses the newly formed task force and collaborative steering committee that developed ASIST - Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training. ASIST trains mental health professionals and encourages them to go beyond the standard methods to identify suicidal symptoms and warnings, and to make connections with those who need help but may have difficulty talking about their suicidal thoughts.
The core beliefs behind ASIST are: Every suicide attempt is preventable and subsequent deaths are avoidable.
In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Week, September 5-11, take a few minutes to listen to the podcast and reflect on the positive collaborative outreach taking place in Arizona to help save lives. To listen to the podcast, visit http://bit.ly/magellan_podcast1 or visit the iTunes store (search Magellan of Arizona).
Newsroom
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If you have any questions about your services, please call Magellan at (800) 564-5465, TTY (800) 424-9831. If you are in crisis, call the Maricopa Crisis Line at (800) 631-1314, TTY (800) 327-9254. For emergencies, please always dial 911.
This page last updated: Monday, April 30, 2012.