Changing the Narrative: How Data and Technology Can Save Lives

In recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10), Oracle Health brings together leading voices in clinical care, behavioral health, and technology to explore how data-driven innovation can help prevent suicide and improve mental health outcomes. Join Oracle Health's Danny Gladden, LCSW, MBA, Director, Behavioral Health and Social Care and Dr. Keita Franklin, Chief Behavioral Health Officer at Leidos, a nationally recognized expert in suicide prevention, as they discuss how ethical, person-centered use of data can detect risk earlier, connect people to care faster, and support clinicians on the frontlines. From integrated screening tools like the PHQ-9 and C-SSRS to risk alerts, we'll examine how technology, with quality care—when paired with compassion—can close critical gaps in behavioral health. This conversation is a call to action for health systems, providers, and technology partners to change the narrative on suicide, together. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out to your local helpline or call/text 988 in the U.S. and Canada.

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Episode Transcript:   Intro  00:00 - 00:29

Welcome to Perspectives on Health and Tech podcast. Brought to you by Oracle Health. In this series, we have conversations on creating a seamless and connected health care world where everyone thrives. Let's get started.

Danny Gladden 00:30 - 02:26

Welcome to Perspectives on Health and Tech. Thank you for joining us. I'm Danny Gladden, general manager of behavioral health and social care at Oracle Health. I'm also a licensed clinical social worker, and I've spent my career working in suicide prevention from crisis lines to community mental health to supporting national efforts with the Department of Defense and the VA. For me, the work is personal and lifelong. At Oracle Health, we believe technology has a role to play in ending suicide with one of the largest global electronic health record footprints and long standing partnerships with the VA and the DoD. We see the impact that suicide has across every community we serve. This isn't an issue that only affects certain families or certain health system. It impacts all of us. That's why we're speaking out as a technology company. Because suicide prevention is not only about crisis intervention, it's about building systems that connect people to help earlier equip clinicians with the right tools and make sure that no one falls to the cracks. Our responsibility is to use data design and technology in ways that honor the human side of care, while supporting providers who are on the frontlines every day. And today, I'm honored to be joined by Doctor Keita Franklin, chief of behavioral health at Leidos, one of the nation's foremost experts in suicide prevention, who's led this work at the highest levels of government and continues to advance the field through research, policy and practice. And so, Keita, it's so good to be with you today. I'm so glad you've joined us. You and I have had a chance to do some pretty incredible work together. You have, spent much of your career leading national suicide prevention efforts with the VA, the DoD, the Columbia Lighthouse project. How has that experience shaped your perspective on the urgency of this issue?

Keita Franklin 02:26 - 03:44

Thank you so much for having me, Danny. And I always love our work together and our connection as social workers in the field over the years, so I truly appreciate the chance to talk to you this morning. You know, one of the first things that comes to mind for me is just a basic, sort of lesson is just the complexities around suicide. Now, I don't think people know, you know, when somebody dies by suicide, there is a lot of variables and factors at play. And it's never it's never one reason. But like you'll hear about people that struggle with a host of reasons, some of which are medically oriented and pain management oriented and comp