Suicide Safety Planning: Clinician Training, Comfort, and Safety Plan Utilization

Emma H. Moscardini, Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, 216 Audubon Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
Ryan M. Hill, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, 1102 Bates Ave., Suite C.0235.05, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Cody G. Dodd, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, 1102 Bates Ave., Suite C.0235.05, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Calvin Do, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, 1102 Bates Ave., Suite C.0235.05, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Julie B. Kaplow, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, 1102 Bates Ave., Suite C.0235.05, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Raymond P. Tucker, Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, 216 Audubon Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.

Abstract

Extant literature has demonstrated that suicide safety planning is an efficacious intervention for reducing patient risk for suicide-related behaviors. However, little is known about factors that may impact the effectiveness of the intervention, such as provider training and comfort, use of specific safety plan elements, circumstances under which providers choose to use safety planning, and personal factors which influence a provider's decision to use safety planning. Participants were ( = 119) safety plan providers who responded to an anonymous web-based survey. Results indicated that most providers had received training in safety planning and were comfortable with the intervention. Providers reported that skills such as identifying warning signs and means safety strategies were routinely used. Providers who reported exposure to suicide were more likely to complete safety plans with patients regardless of risk factors. In addition, almost 70% of providers indicated a need for further training. These data provide important considerations for safety plan implementation and training.