Clinical Considerations for Digital Resources in Care for Patients With Suicidal Ideation

Smartphone apps offer accessible new tools that may help prevent suicide and that offer support for individuals with active suicidal ideation. Numerous smartphone apps for mental health conditions exist; however, their functionality is limited, and evidence is nascent. A new generation of apps using smartphone sensors and integrating real-time data on evolving risk offers the potential of more personalized support, but these apps present ethical risks and currently remain more in the research domain than in the clinical domain. Nevertheless, clinicians can use apps to benefit patients. This article outlines practical strategies to select safe and effective apps for the creation of a digital toolkit that can augment suicide prevention and safety plans. By creating a unique digital toolkit for each patient, clinicians can help ensure that the apps selected will be most relevant, engaging, and effective.