@article{ref1,
title="An emergency department intervention and follow-up to reduce suicide risk in the VA: acceptability and effectiveness",
journal="Psychiatric services",
year="2016",
author="Stanley, Barbara and Chaudhury, Sadia R. and Chesin, Megan and Pontoski, Kristin and Bush, Ashley Mahler and Knox, Kerry L. and Brown, Gregory K.",
volume="67",
number="6",
pages="680-683",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: Emergency departments (EDs) are often the primary contact point for suicidal individuals. The post-ED visit period is a high suicide risk time. To address the need for support during this time, a novel intervention was implemented in five Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center EDs. The intervention combined the Safety Planning Intervention (SPI) with structured follow-up and monitoring (SFU) by telephone for suicidal individuals who did not require hospitalization. This study assessed the intervention's acceptability and perceived usefulness. <br><br>METHODS: A selected sample of 100 intervention participants completed a semistructured interview consisting of open-ended questions about the intervention's acceptability, usefulness, and helpfulness. Satisfaction with the SPI and SFU was separately evaluated. <br><br>RESULTS: Nearly all participants found the SAFE VET intervention to be acceptable, reporting that it was helpful in preventing further suicidal behavior and fostering treatment engagement. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The SAFE VET intervention showed promise as an ED intervention for suicidal patients.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1075-2730",
doi="10.1176/appi.ps.201500082",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201500082"
}