Planning safety with adolescents after a suicide attept

Suicide among adolescents is an actual problem in many countries of the world. It is known that the greatest risk of suicide is in young people who have previously attempted suicide. Aim: to present a safety planning intervention when working with adolescents who have made a suicide attempt (SA). Description of the method. The article presents a technology of planning safety when working with adolescents in the post-suicide period, aimed at preventing suicidal crisis in the future. There is also presented a detailed algorithm for drawing up a safety plan (SP) that includes a list of pre-prepared behavioral strategies and sources of support that patients can use to reduce their emotional experiences when the first signs of mental distress appear. The main sections of the SP are described: 1. Recognition of warning signs indicating the approach of a suicidal crisis. 2. Creation of a safe environment. 3. Identification and use of internal coping strategies. 4. Definition and use of external strategies. 5. Making a list of reasons why it is worth living. An example of the practical use of a safety plan in working with an adolescent hospitalized in the children's department of a psychiatric hospital is given. Findings. The planning safety method has a proven efficiency, does not require additional financial costs, and is easy to learn. This method can be used both as an independent technology and as part of a short-term psychotherapeutic intervention. Therefore, the safety planning method can be used by professionals who are directly involved in the care of adolescents in emergency departments, in crisis hospitals and in psychiatric hospitals