Staff Perspectives of Safety Planning as a Suicide Prevention Intervention for People of Refugee and Asylum-Seeker Background

Abstract

Abstract. Background: Safety planning involves the co-development of a personalized list of coping strategies to prevent a suicide crisis. Aims: We explored the perspectives of workers regarding safety planning as a suicide prevention strategy for people of refugee background and those seeking asylum in Australia. Method: Participants attended suicide prevention training, specific to refugees and asylum seekers, at which safety planning was a key component. Semistructured, posttraining interviews ( n = 12) were analyzed thematically. Results: Four key themes were identified: safety planning as a co-created, personalized activity for the client; therapeutic benefits of developing a safety plan; barriers to engaging in safety planning; strategies to enhance safety planning engagement. Limitations: First-hand refugee and asylum-seeker experiences were not included. Conclusion: As a relatively low-cost, flexible intervention, safety planning may be valuable and effective for these groups.

Preventing suicide in refugees and asylum seekers: a rapid literature review examining the role of suicide prevention training for health and support staff

“…Training elements that were identified by counsellors as important were the need for repeat training sessions to support ongoing practice, training content regarding safety planning in practice, information about safety protocol including defining the boundaries between professional support when suicidal ideation is disclosed, and roleplay and examples of conversations to respond to suicidal ideation [ 30 ]. Similarly, a 2021 study by Ferguson et al highlighted the benefit of repeat training session and the inclusion of safety planning suicide prevention training [ 31 ].…”

“…Suicide prevention training that teaches health and support staff the skills to communicate in a culturally appropriate way, that also meet the literacy needs and understanding of mental health of refugee and asylum seeker clients is paramount. Ferguson et al [ 31 ] highlighted the importance of staff skills to overcome language and communication barriers with refugee and asylum seeker clients to respond to suicide risk. Ferguson et al recognises the need for health and support staff to have the skills and creativity to move beyond a written safety plan to manage suicide distress [ 31 ].…”

“…Ferguson et al [ 31 ] highlighted the importance of staff skills to overcome language and communication barriers with refugee and asylum seeker clients to respond to suicide risk. Ferguson et al recognises the need for health and support staff to have the skills and creativity to move beyond a written safety plan to manage suicide distress [ 31 ].…”

“… develops the competency of participants to respond to and manage suicide risk in refugees and asylum seekers [ 29 , 30 ]. addresses the importance of trauma informed and culturally appropriate approaches when working with refugees and asylum seekers [ 9 , 28 , 31 , 34 ]. is informed by the lived experience of refugees and asylum seekers [ 29 ].…”

A trauma informed response to COVID 19 and the deteriorating mental health of refugees and asylum seekers with insecure status in Australia

“… Cocreate and codevelop a personalized ‘safety plan’ setting out coping and support strategies for the person to support him/her during the onset or worsening of suicide related distress (Ferguson et al . 2021 ; Procter et al . 2021 ) …”