Although more than 1 million people attempt suicide and more than 40,000 people die by suicide annually, it remains difficult to predict who is at most risk of suicide. A recent Beacon Health Options White Paper proposes the “Zero Suicide” model, a seven-pronged approach anchored in the foundational belief that “suicide deaths for individuals under care within health and behavioral health systems are preventable.” The first step includes leading a safety-oriented culture committed to dramatically reducing suicide among people under care. Subsequent steps include training a competent and caring workforce; systemically identifying suicide risk among people receiving care; and ensuring every individual has a pathway to care that is timely and adequate.

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