People who have experienced a suicidal crisis can help ED patients with thoughts of self-harm

What is it about?

Suicide safety planning in the emergency department (ED) saves lives, but is not often performed because it can take a lot of time. We trained nonmedical people who had experienced suicidal crises themselves (peers) to do safety planning with patients.

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Photo by Eva Blue on Unsplash

Photo by Eva Blue on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Peer-delivered safety plans were more complete and of higher quality. Patients working with peers had fewer repeat ED visits in the next 3 months.

Perspectives

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This is the first-of-its-kind study showing that peers in the ED can help other ED patients with thoughts of self-harm. This may change the way EDs treat other suicidal patients.

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