Connecting jails and health care to prevent suicide
Project 1: Syncing Screening and Services for Suicide Prevention across Health and Justice Systems
This project links jail booking and release records with health systems so people leaving jail can get quicker suicide screening and follow-up care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Michigan State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (East Lansing, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11187125 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you go through a participating jail, your booking and release information would be matched with health records so providers can spot people who may need help after release. The team will create clear care pathways that offer immediate suicide screening and direct connections to counseling, crisis services, or medication when needed. The work is being tested in real jails and health systems to see if these links help people access care and lower suicide attempts after release. The study uses a Hybrid Type I design to check both whether the approach works and how it can be implemented in everyday practice.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People recently detained in participating local jails who receive care from the linked health systems—especially those with recent legal stressors or prior suicidal thoughts or attempts—are the main candidates.
Not a fit: People who were never in jail, who are outside the areas served by participating jails and health systems, or who are not connected to those systems are unlikely to be included or see direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make it much easier for people leaving jail to be identified for suicide risk and get timely mental health care, potentially reducing deaths and attempts.
How similar studies have performed: Some smaller programs that connect justice and health services have shown promise in closing care gaps, but scaling automated data-linking between jails and health systems is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
East Lansing, United States
- Michigan State University — East Lansing, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ahmedani, Brian Kenneth — Michigan State University
- Study coordinator: Ahmedani, Brian Kenneth
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.