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Safety Planning

Safety-Planning3

 

We've presented information about a continuum of care for suicide. Here we'll focus on Safety Planning. 
A continuum of care includes:

 

Information About Safety Planning

Safety Planning is best conceptualized as a collaborative, psychotherapeutic intervention that results in a written safety plan for the patient. In working with the patient to develop the safety plan, the clinician models problem-solving and the acceptability of talking about suicide risk. The collaborative work ensures that the safety plan is tailored to the patient and is realistic.

Many clinicians use safety planning as a brief intervention to help people at risk for suicide. The Joint Commission recommends the use of safety planning.

Data show that a single-session, 25-45 minute, Safety Planning Intervention contributes to the prevention of future suicide behaviors. Some of the research was done at Memorial Hospital.

 

Safety-Planning4

 

Safety Planning includes several elements:

  • Understanding the rationale for developing a safety plan
  • Identifying when a safety plan should be used (warning signs)
  • Identifying activities a patient could use to distract or soothe themselves.
  • Identifying people that the patient might turn to for support, including people in their social circle as well as professionals
  • Consideration of means safety – how to make the patient’s environment safer
  • Planning for how to ensure that the safety plan is easy to find when the patient needs it

For information and training in conducting safety planning, video examples, and a blank copy of safety plans, visit this comprehensive resource: Stanley-Brown Suicide Safety Planning Prevention >>

An additional resource that may be useful is the Brown University-based CME course in safety planning. You do not have to be affiliated with Brown University to take this course.

Access the Course >>

 

Testimonial About the Effectiveness of a Safety Plan

I just met with a patient who had never heard of a safety plan and LOVED it. She talked about how she had no intention of doing anything to try to kill herself and acted out of impulse, so she is so grateful to have something like a safety plan to use in the future. "

Clinician at Butler Hospital

Let's Talk: Suicide Prevention For All

Being able to talk about suicide in a straightforward, confident way communicates to our patients and loved ones that it is okay to talk about suicide. We have gathered helpful resources that can help facilitate these conversations. 

Learn More
This information was developed by the Care New England Suicide Prevention Workgroup, which includes membership across Care New England operating units.