After an attempt: A guide for taking care of your family member after treatment in the emergency department

Originally developed by the National Alliance on Mental Illness in partnership with the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, and endorsed by the American College of Emergency Physicians, this 9-page brochure provides family members of those who’ve attempted suicide with practical information regarding the likely assessment, treatment, and follow-up the family member will receive during and after their visit to the emergency department. It was revised in 2018. Subjects addressed include:

•What Happens in the Emergency Department
•What the Emergency Department Needs to Know: How You Can Help
•Next Steps after the Emergency Department
•What you Need to Know
•Moving Forward
•Links to Additional Resources

Objectives:

Those who read the brochure should:
1.Have increased understanding of Emergency Department procedures regarding assessment and treatment of those who attempt suicide.
2.Have increased knowledge of how they can help reduce the risk of subsequent suicide attempts by family members who’ve attempted suicide.

Implementation Essentials:

•Brochures should be provided to emergency department staff for distribution along with the following National Suicide Prevention Lifeline brochures that address the needs of those who attempt suicide and emergency department medical staff:◦After an Attempt: A Guide for Taking Care of Yourself After Your Treatment in the Emergency Department.
◦After an Attempt: A Guide for Medical Providers in the Emergency Department Taking Care of Suicide Attempt Survivors.

2012 NSSP Objectives Addressed: 

Objective 8.4: Promote continuity of care and the safety and well-being of all patients treated for suicide risk in emergency departments or hospital inpatient units.

Objective 9.4: Adopt and implement guidelines to effectively engage families and concerned others, when appropriate, throughout entire episodes of care for persons with suicide risk

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