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Helping Callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Who Are at Imminent Risk of Suicide: The Importance of Active Engagement, Active Rescue, and Collaboration Between Crisis and Emergency Services
Author(s) -
Draper John,
Murphy Gillian,
Vega Eduardo,
Covington David W.,
McKeon Richard
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
suicide and life‐threatening behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.544
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1943-278X
pISSN - 0363-0234
DOI - 10.1111/sltb.12128
Subject(s) - hotline , suicide prevention , poison control , crisis intervention , psychological intervention , injury prevention , occupational safety and health , medical emergency , human factors and ergonomics , medicine , national policy , public relations , political science , nursing , psychiatry , engineering , telecommunications , pathology , law
In 2012, the SAMHSA ‐funded N ational S uicide P revention L ifeline ( L ifeline) completed implementation of the first national P olicy for H elping C allers at I mminent R isk of S uicide across its network of crisis centers. The policy sought to: (1) provide a clear definition of imminent risk; (2) reflect the state of evidence, field experience, and promising practices related to reducing imminent risk through hotline interventions; and (3) provide a uniform policy and approach that could be applied across crisis center settings. The resulting policy established three essential principles: active engagement, active rescue, and collaboration between crisis and emergency services. A sample of the research and rationale that underpinned the development of this policy is provided here. In addition, policy implementation, challenges and successes, and implications for interventions to help L ifeline callers at imminent risk of suicide are detailed.