Safety planning Intervention

Date created: 2023-03-08

It’s a common brief psychological intervention for suicidal patients in the emergency department, delivered in 25 to 40 minutes. Typical components are:

  • Identifying personalized warning signs for an impending suicidal crisis
  • Determining internal coping strategies that distract from suicidal thoughts and urges
  • Identifying family, friends, and social places that distract from suicidal thoughts and urges
  • Identifying individuals who can help provide support during a suicidal crisis (can be the same as above, but preferably just one or two persons that know about the safety plan)
  • Listing mental health professionals and urgent care contacts
  • Lethal means counseling (removing dangerous objects)

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