Suicidal Ideation & Safety Planning

Goal - why is this important to us?

Suicidal ideation is common among people in addiction treatment. We want clients to be safe.

We want staff to be prepared with the skills and tools they need deal with the situation. We also want to minimize the risk that staff, clients and family are traumatized by an attempt or a completed suicide.

Ingredients - what do I need to get started?

Transitional Housing

Residential, Spera, Outpatient and RSS

A phone
A computer with internet access

A phone
A computer with internet access
A safety plan (possibly)

Timeframe - about how long will this take?

15 to 90 minutes

Contacts - who do I need to let know?

Your supervisor

Steps - what do I do?

If there is a concern a client/resident may be suicidal, complete the following steps.

Transitional Housing

Residential, Spera, Outpatient and RSS

Bring the client to their apartment/house (if possible).
Ask if they are thinking about killing themselves (the more detailed the more likely an attempt will happen).
- if no, tell them it is not uncommon to feel suicidal during a crisis and that if they ever feel suicidal they can call 1-800-273-8255, 24/7.
- if yes, move to 3
Have the client call 1-800-273-8255. This hotline should help the client determine what the most appropriate next step would be (hospitalization, etc.).
As house manager, you should call Transitional Housing Coordinator and follow up immediately with an Incident Report & 24 Hour Suicide Risk Follow-Up.
Contact Outpatient Coordinator to give information on what happened (client name, events, etc.)
OP will follow up with the resident until risk is low.

Meet with the client in a space that provides some privacy.
Ask if they are having thoughts about killing themselves (the more detailed the more likely an attempt will happen).
- if no, tell them it is not uncommon to feel suicidal during a crisis and that if they ever feel suicidal they can call 1-800-273-8255, 24/7.
- if yes and you are NOT clinical staff, contact your supervisor or the clinical staff on call and then complete an incident report. Clinical staff will complete the rest of the steps.
- If yes and you ARE clinical staff, move to step 3.
In Apricot, complete the Suicide Risk Assessment and Safety Planning Protocol.
- Complete risk determination and make referral, safety plan, or monitor.
In Apricot, complete an incident report.
Notify other staff involved in their care.
Complete follow-up at the interval that has been agreed to. (Or, notify the person who will be doing the follow-up.)
- Follow-up will continue until risk is low.

Follow-up - what loose ends do I need to wrap up?

The most important things are the following:

That follow-up is completed until risk is low.
That your supervisor and anyone else involved in their care has been notified.
The everything is documented.

More information

Suicide Risk Assessment and Safety Planning

CARF Standards

2.A.18

1.H.9.f (16)

Report abuse