Impact of Digital Safety Plan Activation on Subsequent Emergency Departments Visits Following an Initial Suicide Attempt: Quasi-Experimental Study
Abstract BackgroundSuicide is a significant global public health concern. Individuals with suicidal behaviors often seek help in emergency departments (ED), making mental health providers critical to suicide prevention. Brief interventions such as safety planning are essential...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
JMIR Publications
2025-06-01
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| Series: | JMIR Mental Health |
| Online Access: | https://mental.jmir.org/2025/1/e70253 |
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| Summary: | Abstract
BackgroundSuicide is a significant global public health concern. Individuals with suicidal behaviors often seek help in emergency departments (ED), making mental health providers critical to suicide prevention. Brief interventions such as safety planning are essential in these settings. However, there is a limited understanding of how mobile digital safety planning apps can aid in secondary suicide prevention.
ObjectiveThis study evaluated the effectiveness of a digital safety plan, delivered through the MeMind
MethodsA one-year follow-up was conducted for individuals who presented to the ED for an index event of suicidal behavior (N=78). Participants were provided with a digital safety plan on their mobile devices and instructed to activate it during future suicidal crises.
ResultsAt follow-up, participants who activated the digital safety plan showed a 50% lower likelihood of returning to the ED, when compared to those who did not activate it.
ConclusionsThese findings suggest that digital safety planning may serve as a scalable and accessible intervention with the potential to significantly contribute to suicide prevention efforts. |
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| ISSN: | 2368-7959 |