Hegira Health 2020 #GivingTuesday

We know that access to quality health care service IS life-changing.

Hegira Health, Inc. (HHI) has been a behavioral health care leader in Wayne County for nearly 50 years—and is one of Michigan's largest non-profit, freestanding, integrated behavioral health care organizations. Hegira Health's goal is to ensure the availability of quality, individualized, and rapidly accessible integrated behavioral health treatment and prevention services to infants through older adults of all income levels. Hegira means journey and we are here to provide support along the journey of life—life's pleasures and achievements are maximized after achieving WELLNESS FIRST.

Accredited by the Joint Commission and the American Association of Suicidology, Hegira Health's comprehensive array of services are licensed and or certified by MDHHS and staffed by professionals trained in the latest evidence-based practices. Leadership's achievements include executive committee roles in pertinent local and national associations, memberships on statewide workgroups, honors in Crain's Notable Women in Health Care, recognition from NAMI-MI, participation in numerous state and national learning communities, and participation in the transformational leadership training program, Leadership Detroit. As a Zero Suicide Organization, Hegira Health is a leader in bringing suicide prevention to our communities through education, training, and treatment.

There are over 800,000 deaths globally due to suicide, and for every person who dies by way of suicide, at least 135 people are impacted through grief, which equates to over 108 million people worldwide.  2018 data shows that more than 48,000 people suicided in the U.S. and over 1,500 in Michigan.  In Wayne County, there were 225 deaths by way of suicide.  The numbers continue to climb, and with COVID-19, the numbers are expected to grow even more.

 There are many myths associated with suicide. HERE are two:

Suicide is inevitable—once someone says they are suicidal; you can't stop them.  The reality is that talking about suicide helps bring relief to the person, allowing them to talk more about it and feel less anxiety.

Another myth is that only experts can prevent suicide.  NOT TRUE. Suicide prevention is everyone's business, and everyone can help prevent suicide.  We have come to understand that we cannot do this alone.  The more people know the more they can help.  

Hegira Health recently received close to $800,000 from a SAMHSA Grant to address gaps in service with its Pathways for Suicide Prevention Program. Of the fifty national awards, Hegira Health was the ONLY provider in Michigan to receive this funding. The three primary areas of the grant are CLINICAL, TRAINING, and OUTREACH. 

Clinical services include Mobile Crisis Stabilization teams who work with suicide-attempt survivors by engaging with them while they are in the hospital, being involved in the discharge process, and providing evidence-based treatment for suicide prevention. We also work closely with First Step, a Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault organization, to help with a suicide crisis.

 The training components include a trainer-of-trainers approach. People will be trained to be Master Trainers in QPR-Question, Persuade, Refer, suicide-prevention training. QPR is a three-step evidence-based practice designed to help people in the community become gatekeepers and help people who are suicidal get the help they need quickly.  As Master Trainers, we can train individuals to become trainers.  The more trainers we have in the community teaching others in QPR, the more lives we can save.

The suicide-prevention program's outreach component includes working with community providers, organizations, and agencies to provide training, community support, education, and awareness programs.  Hegira Health will also be hosting a conference next year on suicide pre- and post-vention and will soon begin hosting support groups for attempt survivors. 

 Hegira Health is leading the way to making zero-suicide a reality. With your support, we can make a difference, TOGETHER!