TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2016//
TI  - An emergency department intervention and follow-up to reduce suicide risk in the VA: acceptability and effectiveness
JO  - Psychiatric services
A1  - Stanley, Barbara
A1  - Chaudhury, Sadia R.
A1  - Chesin, Megan
A1  - Pontoski, Kristin
A1  - Bush, Ashley Mahler
A1  - Knox, Kerry L.
A1  - Brown, Gregory K.
SP  - 680
EP  - 683
VL  - 67
IS  - 6
N2  - 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>
LA  - en
SN  - 1075-2730
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201500082
ID  - ref1
ER  -