Suicide prevention hotline
If someone you know is showing one or more of the following behaviors, he or she may be thinking about suicide. Don’t ignore these warning signs:
Get help immediately if you or someone you know has the above warning signs:
In response to increased need, Spectrum Health implemented a team S.A.F.E response protocol and trained more than 5,000 employees on how to respond at a moment’s notice to a patient who may have thoughts of suicide. This protocol included quick patient safety responses and communicating with the code words “Blue Envelope.” Ottawa County Suicide Prevention Coalition, under the leadership of Ottawa Public Health, requested a collaboration, and together we customized this protocol to create School Blue Envelope to train school personnel.
The Zero Suicide Initiative is a national program committing to suicide prevention in health and behavioral health care systems. Spectrum Health is relentlessly pursuing a reduction in suicide and improving the care for those who seek help. We are leading efforts to equip health care providers to respond quickly and compassionately to a person in crisis with suicidal thoughts. We ensure strong links between our patients, our health system, and other behavioral health services throughout the community to help save lives toward “zero suicide.”
Arashdeep Litt, MD, and Jody Sprague, LMSW, discuss suicide prevention.