Feasibility of implementation of the zero suicide model in community-based organizations serving Afghan refugees resettled in Michigan

While the need for behavioral health services for refugee communities is recognized, challenges remain in the implementation of accessible, acceptable, and adaptable programs. Within Michigan, CBOs have developed strong relationships with refugees and asylum seekers resettled into the state. The current project was designed to build on these existing infrastructures within CBOs and determine the feasibility of integrating an evidence-based suicide prevention program. Through the feasibility study, it was evident that CBOs were interested in including the Zero Suicide model as a part of their health services. However, it was clear that adaptations were needed to support the introduction of the model and that those adaptations would have to account for diverse refugee communities and varied resources and structures within each CBO.