SAMHSA’s “Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review, Comment Request” for the Zero Suicide in Health Systems project evaluation states that “while acknowledging the lack of evidence for cultural adaptations to evidence-based and empirically supported treatments and interventions, and that research has not been conducted with historically marginalized and underserved communities (e.g., Black, Asian, Autistic, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex plus (LGBTQI+), and others), Zero Suicide pushes systems to ensure that clients’ cultural contexts are considered and honored in what treatments are offered and how those treatments are adapted.” The notice goes on to say that “with behavioral health equity as a central component woven throughout the Zero Suicide Framework, the proposed evaluation will ensure that each study includes specific behavioral health equity tenets to ensure a culturally specific understanding of Zero Suicide implementation, outcomes, and impacts.” AAF is deeply concerned that SAMHSA is taking an ideologically driven approach to suicide prevention. Suicide prevention efforts should not be conflated with the rejected Biden-Harris DEI agenda.
