Jette L Skovgaard Larsen1, Hanne Frandsen1, Annette Erlangsen2,3. 1. 1 Competence Centre for Suicide Prevention, Copenhagen, Capital Region of Denmark, Denmark. 2. 2 Suicide Prevention Research, Research Unit, Mental Health Centre Copenhagen, Capital Region of Denmark, Denmark. 3. 3 Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Safety plans have been suggested as an intervention for people at risk of suicide. Given the impulsive character of suicidal ideation, a safety plan in the format of a mobile phone application is likely to be more available and useful than traditional paper versions. AIMS: The study describes MYPLAN, a mobile phone application designed to support people at risk of suicide by letting them create a safety plan. METHOD: MYPLAN was developed in collaboration with clinical psychiatric staff at Danish suicide preventive clinics. The mobile application lets the user create an individualized safety plan by filling in templates with strategies, actions, and direct links to contact persons. RESULTS: MYPLAN was developed in 2013 and is freely available in Denmark and Norway. It is designed for iPhone and android platforms. As of December 2015, the application has been downloaded almost 8,000 times. Users at risk of suicide as well as clinical staff have provided positive feedback on the mobile application. CONCLUSION: Support via mobile phone applications might be particularly useful for younger age groups at risk of suicide as well as in areas or countries where support options are lacking. Yet, it is important to examine the effectiveness of this type of intervention.
BACKGROUND: Safety plans have been suggested as an intervention for people at risk of suicide. Given the impulsive character of suicidal ideation, a safety plan in the format of a mobile phone application is likely to be more available and useful than traditional paper versions. AIMS: The study describes MYPLAN, a mobile phone application designed to support people at risk of suicide by letting them create a safety plan. METHOD: MYPLAN was developed in collaboration with clinical psychiatric staff at Danish suicide preventive clinics. The mobile application lets the user create an individualized safety plan by filling in templates with strategies, actions, and direct links to contact persons. RESULTS: MYPLAN was developed in 2013 and is freely available in Denmark and Norway. It is designed for iPhone and android platforms. As of December 2015, the application has been downloaded almost 8,000 times. Users at risk of suicide as well as clinical staff have provided positive feedback on the mobile application. CONCLUSION: Support via mobile phone applications might be particularly useful for younger age groups at risk of suicide as well as in areas or countries where support options are lacking. Yet, it is important to examine the effectiveness of this type of intervention.
Entities:
Keywords:
mobile phone applications; safety plan; suicide prevention
Authors: Chani Nuij; Wouter van Ballegooijen; Derek de Beurs; Remco F P de Winter; Renske Gilissen; Rory C O'Connor; Jan H Smit; Ad Kerkhof; Heleen Riper Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2022-09-27 Impact factor: 5.435
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