Suicide and Opioid Use

This research project focuses on preventing suicide among people who use opioids. Funded by a $65,000 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the project will create a suicide and overdose prevention needs assessment for agencies that provide opioid treatment across Massachusetts. The project team, consisting of Dr. Keefe; Jordana Muroff, PhD, MSW, associate professor at BUSSW; Deborah Chassler, MSW, senior academic researcher; and Collier Brown, MSW student, will conduct interviews with key informants around the state and survey recovery coaches, peers, and other frontline staff to determine where gaps in training exist. Based on the assessment, the team will provide recommendations on how to best prepare workers who support those at risk for opioid overdose and suicidality.