Suicide Prevention Interventions in the Emergency Department: A Scoping Review

Emergency departments are often the first point of contact for individuals with self-harm or suicide attempts. Interventions initiated in emergency departments have the potential to prevent suicidal behavior. However, the scope and nature of available interventions remain unclear.

A scoping review was conducted to explore the extent and nature of the literature on suicide prevention interventions in emergency departments. A search strategy based on the population, concept, and context framework was applied to 6 databases.

A total of 10,415 studies were retrieved, and 16 met eligibility criteria after full-text screening. Interventions were categorized into organizational interventions, safety planning interventions, psychological interventions, and psychotherapeutic interventions. Organizational interventions (n = 6) and safety planning interventions (n = 5) were most commonly reported, followed by psychological (n = 3) and psychotherapeutic interventions (n = 2). Organizational and safety planning interventions demonstrated positive outcomes, including enhanced follow-up, care coordination, and reduced readmissions for suicidal behaviors. Psychological and psychotherapeutic interventions showed mixed results.

This review highlights the range of emergency department-based suicide prevention interventions and their potential to reduce suicidal behaviors and improve patient outcomes. Organizational coordination and safety planning interventions emerged as feasible and effective strategies. Educational efforts to enhance emergency department staff knowledge and attitudes may help to facilitate the implementation of the identified interventions. By mapping existing interventions, this review underscores the critical role of emergency departments in comprehensive suicide prevention efforts.