COLLABORATING WITH SUICIDAL CLIENTS ON SAFETY PLANS Meryl Cassidy, LMSW, ACSW Executive Director

HOW THE SAFETY PLAN WAS BORN

THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES UNDERLYING SAFETY PLANNING Suicide Risk Fluctuates CBT Approaches to Behavior change Thoughts Feelings Behavior Crisis Theory

EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES TO MITIGATE SUICIDE RISK Suicidal Thoughts and Feelings Person at Risk SPI Creates a Safe Space

4 ELEMENTS OF RISK REDUCTION Increase in problem solving and coping skills=increase in self efficacy Enhance social supports & identify emergency contacts Enhance motivation for further treatment Means restriction

PURPOSES OF SAFETY PLANNING Reduce risk Enhance coping Increase treatment motivation Enhance linkage to social supports & mental health services Reconcile difference between clinician’s goal to prevent suicide & individuals goal to end psychological pain via suicidal behavior Encourage commitment to coping Make the shift from suicide to safety explicit

TARGET POPULATION: When is it appropriate to use the Safety Plan?

BEGINNING THE SAFETY PLAN: Telling the Story Warning Signs/Triggers of Suicidal State

DEVELOPING THE PLAN: The Importance of Collaboration & Consent Risk assessment completed & client describes precipitants to suicidal crisis SPI can be developed Listen for turning point that will lead to agreement to develop a plan for safety – must solicit agreement

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN Overview of the 6 steps

COLLABORATION IS THE KEY TO THE SPI

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

SELF EFFICACY AND COPING DBT SKILLS THAT HELP WITH SAFETY PLANNING Interpersonal effectiveness Mindfulness Distress tolerance Emotion regulation https://youtu.be/w6T02g5hnT4

Questions?

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND OTHERS “To the world you may be one Person; but to one person you may Be the world.” Dr. Seuss Meryl Cassidy,ACSW, LMSW Executive Director Response Crisis Center https://youtu.be/RVA2N6tX2cg