ABSTRACT
The hospital emergency department (ED) is arguably one of the most utilized treatment settings for acutely suicidal individuals in the general population. Unfortunately, because admission to inpatient facilities is increasingly unlikely and follow-up with outpatient mental health treatment is sporadic for many suicidal individuals, the care they receive in the ED may be their only intervention. Therefore, increased attention has been given to brief, single-session interventions that can be easily administered in emergency settings. This chapter will provide a description and overview of safety planning, a brief intervention derived from longer-term, effective cognitive behavioral treatments for suicide risk.
