Through the grant, Katz and Temple University Hospital will implement the Zero Suicide framework, a comprehensive approach that integrates suicide prevention throughout a healthcare organization. Temple was the only recipient in Pennsylvania among more than 40 organizations selected nationwide.

The Zero Suicide framework is a comprehensive approach designed to embed suicide prevention throughout a healthcare organization. Rather than relying on a single department or specialty, it equips the entire healthcare team to recognize risk, respond effectively, and help patients transition safely to appropriate care.

“The interdisciplinary nature of this project is what makes it so powerful,” said Janet Lee, MD, Assistant Dean for Clinical Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine and principal investigator of the project. “Suicide prevention cannot rest with one department or one type of healthcare professional. By bringing together physicians, nurses, behavioral health professionals and staff members across different roles, we can build a more coordinated approach that supports patients from the moment they enter the emergency department through their connection to ongoing care.”

The first year of the grant will focus on planning, training, and culture change across the healthcare team. Training will combine content developed by Temple’s psychiatry experts with resources from the Zero Suicide. Activities will range from self-directed learning to interactive exercises and role-playing scenarios that allow team members to practice difficult but potentially lifesaving conversations.

One area of focus will be counseling patients and families about reducing access to lethal means during periods of elevated suicide risk. The project will also examine and strengthen workflows related to screening, risk assessment, prevention, follow-up, and connections to behavioral health treatment.

“This grant gives us an important opportunity to build upon the suicide screening and prevention practices already underway in Temple’s emergency departments,” said Amy J. Goldberg, MD, FACS, The Marjorie Joy Katz Dean, Lewis Katz School of Medicine. “By expanding this work and aligning practices across care teams, we can create a more consistent and coordinated approach that supports patients during an immediate crisis and helps keep them connected to care after they leave the emergency department.”

Temple will also partner with Community Behavioral Health to help strengthen connections between the health system and behavioral health services in the community. Future phases of the initiative will include a peer advocate who can bring lived experience to the project and help shape how Temple supports patients and families.

Through this five-year initiative, Temple aims to create a more coordinated, compassionate approach to suicide prevention one that helps patients receive the support they need during a critical moment and remain connected to care after leaving the emergency department.