Enhancing Means Safety
Lethal means safety is a critical component of suicide prevention, which research shows makes a real difference in preventing suicide. Creating time and distance between someone with suicidal thoughts and lethal means can help. The workshop equips these practitioners with practical, evidence-based tools and strategies to collaboratively enhance means safety during suicidal distress.
This InPlace® Workshop was developed in collaboration with suicide prevention clinical and lived experience experts across Aotearoa New Zealand. The welcome video features personal stories of survival and loss, and professional perspectives on suicide prevention. The workshop itself provides practical tools and evidence-based approaches to enhance means safety.
What You Will Learn
- The strong evidence base for means safety and how to implement these lifesaving measures
- Practical tools to learn about which method of suicide a person may be considering
- How to collaboratively enhance means safety strategies in practice
- How to engage family and other supports in creating meaningful, collaborative safety plans
This training complements existing safety planning practices within and outside the SafeSide Framework, and is an add-on to the SafeSide CARE program designed specifically for staff who work directly with individuals on safety planning.
It includes discussion of suicide methods and means, something we generally advise against for most people, but essential knowledge for those whose role requires having these conversations safely and effectively with clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mindframe and IASP (International Association for Suicide Prevention) guidelines advise against discussing specific suicide methods - and this is an important practice. However, professionals who work directly with people at risk to address means safety and safety planning need to be well-trained to conduct these conversations safely and effectively with people. Discussing means and methods is critical to achieving this goal (or something like that).
The workshop and corresponding workbook cover tools to inquire about the means a person may be considering and strategies to enhance means safety in practice collaboratively. As part of the workshop, participants also have access to a library of tools and resources, which includes safety planning templates and reflection tools.
The workshop is designed to take approximately an hour, but you can pace it according to your schedule.
Via your SafeSide Account. The workshop is delivered using the same InPlace® Learning model as SafeSide CARE—through workshop videos, facilitated discussion, and ongoing support, including monthly learning sessions and an online Community of Practice. Learning doesn't stop when the workshop ends; you'll have continued opportunities to deepen your skills and connect with peers. Learn more about InPlace® Learning here.
Yes - you could complete a SafeSide CARE workshop and then follow up with Enhancing Means Safety, or use the Enhancing Means Safety workshop to bring the team back together for continued learning. If hosting on the same day, be certain to build in time for breaks and lunch.
No. This workshop is intended for individuals who are actively engaged in means safety work with people and who have responsibility for creating, supporting, or contributing to safety plans.
Because this training includes a discussion of suicide means and methods, it may not be appropriate or necessary for all team members. During implementation, we recommend discussing which roles in your organization would benefit from this training.
You will receive a certificate for completing this add-on module once you submit your post-training evaluation in your SafeSide Account within 24 hours.