Development of an individual safety plan is an important suicide prevention tool. There is good scientific evidence that crisis plans can reduce suicidal behavior. The purpose of a safety plan is to ensure that the patient has strategies that can be used in situations where suicidal thoughts and impulses arise. The intention is that the patient can use the safety plan on their own, even if suicidal thoughts occur in the evening or at night. Hopefully, this can prevent suicidal actions. The safety plan is based on identification of warning signs, coping strategies, and information on where to get help if personal coping strategies do not work.
Safety plans are being used widely in clinical settings and many countries. Standardised forms have been developed for electronic medical records in order to promote the use of safety plans and ensure implementation. Standardised forms can facilitate monitoring of the use of safety plans. However, standardised forms entails a risk of loss of user friendliness and acceptability and actuel use of safety plans.
This presentation will include presentation of standardised forms and disussion of how safety plans can be developed and revisited in clinical settings