Effectiveness of the Suicidal Crisis Intervention (SCI)

Research has extensively shown that a previous suicide attempt or a history of suicide attempts are important predictors of suicide death. It is therefore important to provide people with appropriate care after a suicide attempt to limit this risk.

Although this risk factor (previous attempts) is known, the number of interventions developed for this risk group is limited.

Based on these findings, a short-term treatment trajectory was developed for people after a suicide attempt or a suicidal crisis in Flanders, called the Suicidal Crisis Intervention (SCI). This was inspired by the ASSIP treatment trajectory and the safety plan was also given a significant place within the treatment. In addition, the importance of relatives and social support is emphasized by involving relatives in this treatment. Throughout this treatment, further (treatment) goals are drawn up, in order to generate hope for improvement and to facilitate continuity of care. More information about the concrete content of SCI will follow later in this protocol. A pilot study is currently being conducted to assess the feasibility of this treatment, as well as the experience of patients, relatives and care providers. Based on this, the SCI will be further updated for this effectiveness study.

There are currently no specific evidence-based short-term treatment methods in Flanders for people after a suicidal crisis or suicide attempt. The primary research question is therefore: 'Is the Suicidal Crisis Intervention (SCI) in Flanders an effective short-term treatment method for people after a suicidal crisis or suicide attempt?'.

The main objective of this project is to be able to offer a new, specific short-term treatment method that has been scientifically proven to reduce suicidality. In addition, we want to investigate the influence of SCI on other important aspects of suicidality (secondary goal) such as hopelessness, defeat, entrapment, and interpersonal needs.