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Frequently Asked Questions

The MI Mind Collaborative Quality Initiative (CQI) focuses on suicide prevention through intervention by primary care and behavioral health clinicians. In the future, it will include other behavioral health domains such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders.

FAQs about MI Mind

FAQs about Suicide and Suicide Prevention

FAQs about MI Mind

How can I/my Physician Organization (PO) become part of MI Mind?

Please send us an email at MIMind@hfhs.org to learn more.

 

What is Zero Suicide?

This model, first developed at Henry Ford Health in 2001, uses a care pathway comprised of a series of evidence-based suicide prevention practices, including screening and intervention. This landmark approach led to zero suicides for 18 months in 2009-2010 at Henry Ford Health. The model has been adopted nationally as part of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. It is also being used internationally in more than 20 nations. View the Henry Ford Health Zero Suicide Guidelines.

 

How will the CQI and Zero Suicide work together?

While many health systems are already using the Zero Suicide model, the CQI will provide the structure to collect data and further advance and refine the Zero Suicide model. It will also enable us to work together to develop new approaches.

 

When was MI Mind established?

Recruitment began in early 2022, and the collaboration officially went live later in 2022.

 

What is a Physician Organization (PO) Representative?

The PO (Physician Organization) Representative is a leader within a Physician Organization who oversees the Practice Clinical Champions. They act as the primary liaison between the MI Mind team and participating practices, facilitating communication, coordination, and decision-making. The PO Representative plays a pivotal role in guiding the implementation of project initiatives and ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives.

 

What is an Administrative Lead?

The Administrative Lead is responsible for program operations and coordinating activities with MI Mind. They work closely with other PO leads to share program information with practices and identify practice-level team involvement. The Administrative Lead supports the PC and BH Leads in recruiting practices for MI Mind. The Administrative Lead may have a secondary person for support.

 

What is a Primary Care Provider Lead?

The Primary Care (PC) Provider Lead is a clinical leader for the Physician Organization (PO). The PC Provider Lead is responsible for disseminating performance and QI information such as scorecard metrics to Practice Clinical Champions. This lead supports the Practice Clinical Champions in trainings and QI projects such as the yearly PDSA project. They attend collaborative-wide meetings and trainings, as well as quarterly meetings. They recruit Primary Care practices by endorsing the mission of MI Mind, sharing the benefits to participating, and encouraging practices to join. Wherever possible, a PO should have both a PC and a BH Lead. The PC Provider Lead can have a secondary person for support.

 

What is a Behavioral Health Provider Lead?

The Behavioral Health (BH) Provider Lead is a clinical leader for the Physician Organization (PO). The BH Provider Lead is responsible for disseminating performance and QI information such as scorecard metrics to Practice Clinical Champions. This lead supports the Practice Clinical Champions in trainings and QI projects such as the yearly PDSA project. They attend collaborative-wide meetings and trainings, as well as quarterly meetings. They recruit Behavioral Health practices by endorsing the mission of MI Mind, sharing the benefits to participating, and encouraging practices to join. Wherever possible, a PO should have both a PC and a BH Lead. The BH Provider Lead can have a secondary person for support.

 

What is a Quality Assurance Lead?

The Quality Assurance (QA) Lead is responsible for data oversight and works with practices on data elements shared with MI Mind. They ensure that data meets CQI data requirements and work with the MI Mind Coordinating Center to develop and improve data-sharing processes. The QA Lead is responsible for working with practices to troubleshoot data-related issues. This lead meets with the MI Mind Coordinating Center monthly with additional meetings as needed. They develop and improve the data sharing process to report on required data elements such as patient-reported outcomes, clinical outcomes, social determinants of health, and quality improvement process measures. The QA Lead can also have a secondary person for support.

 

What is a Practice Clinical Champion?

The Practice Clinical Champion is an established leader in the participating practice who is engaged and energetic. They are passionate about the intersection of behavioral and physical health and reducing suicide risk among their patients. A Primary Care (PC) Practice Clinical Champion can be either a physician or an Advanced Practice Provider (APP) in internal medicine or family medicine. A Behavioral Health (BH) Practice Clinical Champion can be a psychologist, psychiatrist, licensed social worker, or counselor working at the practice. Other patient-facing clinical leaders can be Practice Clinical Champions with the Coordinating Center’s approval. They work collaboratively with other team members and are familiar with clinic processes and protocols. They attend coaching calls, trainings, and other meetings, such as the Regional Meeting with the Coordinating Center team and disseminate this information to clinic members. The Practice Clinical Champion shares MI Mind information such as important dates from the Coordinating Center with the practice. The Practice Clinical Champion guides QI efforts and projects such as the yearly PDSA.

 

What is a Practice Liaison?

The Practice Liaison is an optional addition to the Practice Clinical Champion and can be the point-person who the PO will reach out to discuss MI Mind administrative responsibilities. The Practice Liaison must be actively employed in a patient-facing role at the practice. They may support the Practice Clinical Champion by sharing MI Mind information such as upcoming meetings and important dates from the Coordinating Center with the practice. They may also support the Practice Clinical Champion in communicating implementation challenges and best practices. They may attend Zero Suicide trainings in lieu of the Practice Clinical Champions and assist with other MI Mind QI efforts and projects such as the PDSA.

 

Can anyone in the clinic attend a Regional Meeting to receive attendance credit?

All clinic members are encouraged to attend the Regional Meetings, however, only attendance of the Practice Clinical Champion or Practice Liaison will fulfill the attendance requirement.

 

FAQs about Suicide and Suicide Prevention

How will MI Mind help me/my loved one?

MI Mind brings psychiatrists, psychologists, and primary care physicians together to learn and use specific and proven suicide prevention strategies. Providers can more accurately identify patients who are at risk for suicide, then use early intervention to help them. Evidence-based, they are strategies that have been shown to work through careful research. Through MI Mind, we will learn more about how these strategies help patients and develop even better, more effective ways to prevent suicide and bring patients the care they need.

 

Can you provide suicide prevention resources?

If you are thinking about committing suicide, call 911. You can also call 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. (Or call 1-800-273-8255.)

If you are having suicidal thoughts or have problems that seem impossible to solve, visit Now Matters Now for supportive videos and sharing.

 

What kind of impact can MI Mind have?

Primary care and behavioral health patients at risk for suicide will be most impacted. Over the next few years, we expect participating providers will more accurately and readily identify their patients at risk for suicide. Patients will experience improved coordination of care and easier access to outpatient services.

 

Is it possible to stop someone from attempting suicide?

Yes, if people in crisis get the help they need, data tells us they will probably never be suicidal again. When a person believes something is inevitable, it discourages them from taking any action. Positive action is needed to prevent suicide.*

 

If I confront a person about suicide, will that increase the chance they will attempt suicide?

Asking a person directly about suicide risk does not increase the risk for suicide. In fact, asking the person will lower anxiety, open up communication, and lower the risk of an impulsive act.*

 

If a person is thinking of suicide, will they talk about it?

Yes, most suicidal people communicate their intent during the week before they attempt suicide.*

 

What kinds of clues will a person give if they are thinking about suicide?

While there are many clues a person may give if they are thinking about suicide, these are some things to watch for:

Direct verbal clues:

  • “I’ve decided to kill myself.”
  • “I wish I were dead.”
  • “I’m going to commit suicide.”
  • “I’m going to end it all.”
  • “If (such and such) doesn’t happen, I’ll kill myself.”

Indirect verbal clues:

  • “I’m tired of life, I just can’t go on.”
  • “My family would be better off without me.”
  • “Who cares if I’m dead anyway.”
  • “I just want out.”
  • “I won’t be around much longer.”
  • “Pretty soon you won’t have to worry about me.”

Behavioral clues:

  • Any previous suicide attempts
  • Getting a gun or saving up pills
  • Depression, moodiness, hopelessness
  • Putting personal affairs in order
  • Not being able to sleep
  • Giving away prized possessions
  • Sudden interest or disinterest in religion
  • Drug or alcohol abuse, or a relapse after a period of recovery
  • Unexplained anger, aggression and irritability

Situational clues:

  • Being fired from a job or being expelled from school
  • A recent unwanted move
  • Loss of any major relationship
  • Death of a spouse, child, or best friend, especially if by suicide
  • Diagnosis of a serious or terminal illness
  • Sudden unexpected loss of freedom/fear of punishment
  • Anticipated loss of financial security
  • Loss of a cherished therapist, counselor or teacher
  • Fear of becoming a burden to others*

 

How do I bring up the topic of suicide with my loved one?

It’s a tough conversation to start. Some suggestions:

  • “You know, when people are as upset as you seem to be, they sometimes wish they were dead. I’m wondering if you’re feeling that way, too?”
  • “You look pretty upset/distracted, I wonder if you’re thinking about suicide?”
  • “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
  • “Have you been unhappy/very unhappy lately?”
  • “Have you been so unhappy lately that you’ve been thinking about ending your life?”
  • “Do you ever wish you could go to sleep and never wake up?”*

 

If my loved one says they are thinking about suicide, or are planning suicide, what is my next step?

Suicidal people often believe they cannot be helped, so you may need to lead them to help. The best approach is to take the person directly to someone who can help, such as their therapist or the nearest hospital emergency room. You can also call 911. The next best approach is to get a commitment from them to accept help, then make the arrangements to get that help. The third best approach is to give the person information and try to get a good faith commitment not to attempt suicide. Any willingness to accept help at some time, even if in the future, is a good outcome.*

 

Can I really make a difference?

Yes, suicide is the most preventable kind of death. Even if the person does not attempt suicide, they may attempt an act of self-destruction. Almost any positive action may save a life or prevent harm.*

* https://qprinstitute.com 

 

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