Blue Cross launches new CQI to improve suicide prevention efforts

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. About 48,000 people die by suicide each year, with nearly 1.4 million people attempting suicide annually. That’s why Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is joining forces with Henry Ford Health to launch a new Collaborative Quality Initiative called the Michigan Mental health Innovation Network for clinical Design, or MiMIND.

The goal of MiMIND is to engage psychiatrists, psychologists and primary care physicians in a collaborative approach to improve suicide prevention efforts across Michigan. The program will begin by working closely with PGIP-participating physician organizations to determine and implement effective suicide prevention elements, using data to help facilitate rapid quality improvement processes.

MiMIND is based on the Zero Suicide model, originally developed at Henry Ford. It uses a care pathway consisting of a series of evidence-based suicide prevention practices, including screening and intervention. This model has been adopted nationally as part of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and internationally in more than 20 countries. Many health systems have started to implement the Zero Suicide model but haven’t had the opportunity — or  the statewide forum that the CQI will provide — to work closely with a wide range of health care providers to develop effective collaborative approaches.

The MiMIND collaborative is being led by Program Director Brian Ahmedani, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., and Cathrine Frank, M.D. Ahmedani is the director for the Center for Health Policy and Health Services Research at Henry Ford Health, and is internationally recognized for his work in suicide prevention.

Frank is a practicing, licensed, board-certified psychiatrist. She’s also the chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Services at Henry Ford Health and widely regarded as the original clinical architect of the Zero Suicide program.

“Suicide and suicidal behavior — among adults, teens and, increasingly, younger children — is a major public health crisis. We are very excited to build upon our existing CQI collaboration model to address this significant need for high-quality behavioral health services,” said Thomas Leyden, director of Value Partnerships at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. “The necessity to effectively address suicide prevention with our statewide collaborative partners is critical given the varied behavioral health needs of our state’s population.”

Recruitment for MiMIND began in the first quarter of 2022, and the collaborative will officially go live later this year. If you have questions related to clinical aspects of the program or would like to participate in this CQI, reach out to the MiMIND coordinating center team at mimind@hfhs.org.

For more information about Blue Cross’ CQI program, email CQIPrograms@bcbsm.com.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.