[ASSIP: A new therapy following suicide attempt]

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Patients attempting suicide are a vulnerable group with high reattempt rates.
• A lack of specific interventions for this population exists in French-speaking Switzerland.
• The Foundation « Promotion santé suisse » supports new suicide prevention programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate the Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program (ASSIP®) in French-speaking Switzerland.
• To address the gap in specialized suicide prevention therapies.
• To reduce suicide reattempts through a tailored intervention.

Main Methods:

• ASSIP® is a short, patient-centered therapy.
• It utilizes a narrative and behavioral approach.
• The program focuses on understanding the patient's suicidal process and developing coping strategies.

Main Results:

• ASSIP® has been implemented in French-speaking Switzerland.
• The therapy is designed to reduce suicide reattempts.
• It aims to empower patients with strategies for future crisis management.

Conclusions:

• ASSIP® provides a necessary, specialized intervention for suicide attempters.
• The program's patient-centered, narrative, and behavioral approach is effective in suicide prevention.
• Successful implementation in French-speaking Switzerland offers a model for other regions.