Thursday, January 2, 2025
1/2/2025
The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD is working to bring the best practices in suicide care to those we directly serve and those who are potential clients by affecting them in an indirect way. The L.I.F.E. (Living Is For Everyone) project focuses on the continued implementation of Zero Suicide for those at highest risk in Harris County, Texas. The population chosen includes those people served within The Harris Center as well as those who encounter the Harris County Sheriff's Office in the field or in the detention environment. There were 625 deaths by suicide in Harris County in 2022 based off the most recent medical examiners data, which accounts for a 20% increase in suicide related deaths since 2017 (Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, personal communication, March 2023). According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 355 persons in local jails died by suicide in 2019 in the state of Texas. This represents an increase of 5% from 2018 to 2019 and an overall total of about 30% of deaths in local jails being suicides. The sharp increase in suicide related deaths in Harris County has highlighted a significant need for more standardized suicide risk assessment as well as more intensive approaches to evidence based interventions when risk is identified. While The Harris Center began its Zero Suicide journey in FY19, timely intervention is a core element that the agency wishes to prioritize. Suicide risk intervention is a time intensive, resource dependent practice that is proven to decrease the risk of suicide attempts and death by suicide. The Harris Center will expand its use of the Zero Suicide framework via the L.I.F.E. Program using programmatic efforts to target those at highest risk for suicide by utilizing additional clinical team members to increase the focus of the organization on suicide intervention and prevention with those individuals within our system. Using Zero Suicide principles and evidence-based training, targeted intervention would begin at recognition of initial increased risk and provide key assessment and personalized interventions based on the specific needs of the person served. These dedicated clinical individuals will work with other Harris Center clinicians and PEERS to develop a meaningful safety plan, discuss lethal means, schedule follow up appointments, facilitate referrals to therapeutic services such as CBT and DBT and provide active monitoring for a minimum of 30 days. Staff will use evidence-based training such as AS+K, CALM, ASIST or others to care for the at-risk person. The clinician will provide a warm handoff and transition to the next level of care based on the current need and situation of the individual. These services may be offered by a team member that specializes in suicide care or any other Zero Suicide informed Harris Center staff member. The Harris Center will also provide guidance and recommendations for the Harris County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) as they work to implement the Zero Suicide framework in the Harris County Jail and within the department. The Harris Center will use its partnership with HCSO and its knowledge of the Zero Suicide framework to assist with training opportunities, make evidence-based recommendations, increase the use of best practice suicide care and provide quality implementation guidance to improve suicide prevention methods within the justice system. Total anticipated to be served throughout the project's tenure (5 years): 10,250
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).