Kingston-based University of Rhode Island Health Services has partnered with South County Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds to provide services that work to achieve zero suicides in Washington County within five years.
Washington County has the highest suicide rate in Rhode Island, and the new partnership will form a suicide prevention team at local emergency departments, while expanding to other providers and community healthcare centers by the fourth year of the program.
The programs will use patient health questionnaires to screen for, diagnose and measure depression for all patients.
"I am so thankful to be partnered with the Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds Zero Suicide Grant because one suicide in the URI community and surrounding towns is too many," said Ellen Reynolds, director of health services at URI. "I believe with training, identification and additional resources, preventing suicide is possible and is something we aspire to achieve."