Community & Population Health

Improving suicide care requires strong systems, shared accountability, and seamless transitions across care settings, especially during moments of elevated risk. Through the 2025 Suicide Care in Healthcare Quality Improvement Initiative , Vermont healthcare and community partners are working together to strengthen suicide care pathways using evidence-informed practices, data, and quality improvement methods. Facilitated by the Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care and funded by the Vermont Department of Health and the Vermont Department of Mental Health, the initiative supports teams in improving continuity of care, particularly during transitions from emergency departments to community-based services. The work underway in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom offers a strong example of this approach in action. Building on long-standing partnerships, local hospital and community organizations came together to formalize a Safe Transitions Team focused on coordinated, sustainable suicide care. The story below highlights how collaboration, data, and flexibility helped strengthen care transitions and improve support for individuals at risk.