$12 million grant will advance Henry Ford Health's suicide prevention model across the U.S.

DETROIT - May 11, 2026 - A $12 million philanthropic grant from the Four Pines Fund will help expand Henry Ford Health's proven framework for reducing patient suicide attempts within health systems.

Suicide prevention experts will use the grant to expand and enhance access to effective suicide care across Henry Ford Health, Kaiser Permanente Colorado and HealthPartners in Minnesota, as well as establish a new suicide prevention center at Henry Ford Health.

Suicide remains a persistent public health challenge in the United States. According to the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 49,000 people died by suicide in the U.S. in 2023 and 12.8 million seriously considered suicide.

Henry Ford Health pioneered a suicide prevention program known as the Zero Suicide Model more than 25 years ago and has since used it to identify patients in crisis and intervene early, leading to a dramatic reduction in suicides across its patient population. A 2025 study published in JAMA Network Open showed that by adopting the ZS Model, health systems can reduce suicide rates among patients by 25% or more. Data shows more than 80% of people who die by suicide and more than 90% of people who attempt suicide visit a doctor's office in the months and weeks leading up to their death.

"Our goal with Zero Suicide has always been to save more lives," said Brian K. Ahmedani, Ph.D., director of research for Behavioral Health Services at Henry Ford Health. "The generous gift from the Four Pines Fund allows us to grow suicide care within our own health system and share our expertise with colleagues across the country so that more patients receive the right treatment, at the right time."

The Henry Ford Health approach starts with a suicide risk screening that patients fill out before they see their regular doctor. Providers immediately evaluate the survey; if a patient screens positive, they are further assessed for suicide risk. Those at elevated risk work with a specialized member of the care team to create a safety plan that covers who they can call if they're in distress, cognitive tools for reducing suicidal thoughts and what they can do to make their home environment safe. The patient is also referred to an outpatient behavioral health provider for psychotherapy focused on suicide prevention.

The $12 million gift from the Four Pines Fund will support efforts to substantially expand services for patients at risk, including introducing more advanced and accessible safety planning support and virtual therapy for patients at mild-to-moderate suicide risk.

The gift will also help fund the establishment of an integrated suicide prevention center within Henry Ford Health that is designed for comprehensive suicide care, clinical innovation and provider training.

"This integrated center will be a place where our priorities for suicide prevention and care will sit front and center," said Dr. Deepak Prabhakar, chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at Henry Ford Health. "As pioneers in suicide prevention, it's our responsibility to continue piloting novel solutions and developing education and training materials that help save the lives of people in our community and can be replicated across the country and around the globe."

Four Pines Fund is dedicated to expanding access to evidence based suicide care across the U.S. Henry Ford Health's award is one of five grants made by the fund in 2026 to accelerate national adoption of effective suicide prevention practices within health care systems.

"We're deeply humbled by the support of Four Pines Fund. This gift will support rapid innovation and inspire national change as we strive to prevent suicides and support our patients in living healthier lives," said Mary Jane Vogt, executive vice president and chief development officer at Henry Ford Health.

###

Media Contact: [email protected]