Ep. 37: A systems approach to suicide prevention with Pavan Somusetty, MD, and Jackie Ryan

Suicide is a deeply personal tragedy — and a pressing public health challenge. In this episode, we take a closer look at how health systems can lead meaningful change through prevention, early intervention, and compassion.

Dr. Pavan Somusetty, regional chief of mental health at Northwest Permanente and national leader for suicide prevention at Kaiser Permanente, joins Jackie Ryan, psychiatry practice director at Northwest Permanente and Zero Suicide program manager, to discuss how to change organizational culture around identifying patients, supporting them, and talking about suicide with them. They also share how to embed suicide prevention into all levels of the health system — even in non-mental health settings — using data, proactive screenings, and a comprehensive commitment to saving lives.

Together, they explore:

• What the evidence shows about what works
• How the Zero Suicide model is reducing suicide attempts
• Practical ways clinicians can better identify and support patients at risk
• The promise of AI and data analytics to strengthen prevention efforts
• The cultural shift needed to truly destigmatize mental health

It’s a conversation grounded in both expertise and empathy — because every life matters, and every encounter is an opportunity to help.

#suicideprevention #suicide #zerosuicide #firearmssafety