Healthcare-Based Suicide Prevention Grant Opportunity

Purpose

Several studies have shown that individuals are more likely to utilize healthcare services in the weeks and months leading up to death by suicide. One study that examined over 2,500 individuals in the US who had died by suicide between 2000 and 2013 found that “nearly 30% of individuals had a healthcare visit in the 7 days before suicide (6.5% emergency, 16.3% outpatient specialty, and 9.5% primary care),” over 50% within 30 days, and over 90% within a year. Individuals who died by suicide also utilized healthcare services more frequently. The same study found that “Those who died by suicide averaged 16.7 healthcare visits during the year [of their death].” 

This increased healthcare utilization by persons at risk for suicide positions healthcare facilities as critical points for suicide prevention efforts. Unfortunately, other studies show that many behavioral health professionals do not receive the proper training to effectively interact with suicidal individuals, and thus often lack the confidence to do so. This lack of training and confidence can be even more profound with healthcare staff who do not specialize in behavioral healthcare. The rural nature of Wyoming and a relative lack of behavioral healthcare providers add additional layers of difficulty to suicide prevention efforts in the state. 

However, small changes can make a big impact on suicide prevention. This grant opportunity is intended to provide funds and support to help Wyoming healthcare facilities improve their evidence-based suicide prevention efforts in ways that are feasible for them and the people they serve. Instead of requiring implementation of the entire Zero Suicide Framework, applicants to this grant can select achievable deliverables from categories essential to healthcare suicide prevention–Policy and Procedure, Training, and Community Collaboration. 

Recipients of this grant will be expected to collaborate with one another and with a broader range of partners in the Healthcare Suicide Prevention Workgroup. They will ultimately function as pilot communities to inform future funding efforts for this initiative and to model efforts for other hospitals in the state to improve suicide prevention.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants for this opportunity include healthcare facilities in Wyoming: hospitals, emergency departments, primary care clinics, and urgent care clinics. Preference will be given to facilities that do not currently have a robust suicide prevention system in place. 

Funding Available

WIVPP anticipates awarding a total of $100,000.00 through this RFA. Ideally, multiple organizations addressing priorities outlined in the Scope of Work section will be funded. Budgets between $5,000 and $50,000.00 are recommended. Budgets outside this range may still be approved depending on the potential reach of the programs proposed.

Term of Award

The anticipated term of award will be September 1, 2025 to August 31, 2026.

Reserved Rights

WIVPP reserves the right to make an award under this RFA in part, in whole, or not at all. In addition, WIVPP reserves the right to amend or withdraw this RFA. If the RFA is amended after an applicant has already submitted an application, WIVPP will provide the applicant notice of the change and an opportunity to supplement the application, as necessary.

Please read the Request for Applications Form carefully for a full breakdown of the grant opportunity and instructions on how to apply.

You will need to use the Workplan Template as part of your application. Please make a copy of the Google Sheet or download it as an Excel file to complete.