The experiences of consumers, clinicians and support persons involved in the safety planning intervention for suicide prevention: a qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesis
2024

Experiences of Safety Planning Intervention for Suicide Prevention

Sample size: 243 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): O’Connor Edward, Rhodes Kate, Procter Nicholas, Loughhead Mark, Procter Alexandra, Reilly Julie-Anne, Pettit Sophie, Ferguson Monika

Primary Institution: University of South Australia

Hypothesis

What are the subjective experiences of consumers, clinicians, and support persons involved in the Safety Planning Intervention (SPI) for suicide prevention?

Conclusion

The Safety Planning Intervention is viewed as beneficial by users and can be enhanced through a person-centered, collaborative approach and the inclusion of support persons.

Supporting Evidence

  • The SPI is seen as an acceptable intervention that improves personal awareness of suicide-related distress.
  • Stakeholders reported that SPI practices enhance self-regulatory skills and strategies.
  • Support persons can help recognize changes in consumers’ states of mind.
  • SPI practices are viewed as beneficial for reducing suicide risk during transitions from inpatient to outpatient care.

Takeaway

The Safety Planning Intervention helps people who feel suicidal by giving them a plan to stay safe, and it works better when friends and family are involved.

Methodology

Systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative studies.

Potential Biases

Potential biases due to lack of reflexivity and unreported guiding philosophical perspectives in included studies.

Limitations

Some studies lacked detailed reporting on SPI features and methodological quality varied.

Participant Demographics

Participants included 113 clinicians, 103 adults (including veterans), 20 adolescents, and 7 support persons.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1482924

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