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<p>The Safety Planning Intervention (SPI) is an empirically supported suicide prevention intervention. Given the increased risk of suicide among veterans, VA’s National Center for PTSD (NCPTSD) aimed to expand accessibility of SPI by embedding a Safety Plan module (SPM) in PTSD Coach, a free, publicly available mobile app.&#xa0;This mixed-methods quality improvement evaluation aimed to (1) characterize usage and (2) examine acceptability, usability, and facilitators for and barriers to use of the SPM.&#xa0;Three data sources were utilized, including anonymous usage data (<i>N</i> = 1408), a brief in-app satisfaction survey (<i>N</i> = 468), and semi-structured interviews focused on SPM user experiences (<i>N</i> = 15). Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, while qualitative data were analyzed using Rapid Qualitative Analysis.&#xa0;Based on usage data, mean completion was 3.3 steps (<i>SD =</i> 1.76). Satisfaction survey data indicated that 78.9% were somewhat to very satisfied with the SPM, with differences in how users arrived at the app and/or SPM and factors that led to SPM use. Interview participants described the SPM as flexible and easy to use but noted areas for improvement including navigation, personalization, and accessibility during crisis moments. Facilitators for use included security, privacy, and therapeutic empowerment; barriers included difficulty locating and opening the embedded module and cognitive overload when distressed.&#xa0;Digital SPM approaches may be promising tools for individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts. Improvements designed to enhance engagement, accessibility, and integration into care are critical to best meet diverse user needs. Future quality improvement efforts that include a broader range of demographic representation are necessary.</p>

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Veterans’ Perspectives on a Digital Safety Planning Tool for Suicide Prevention Embedded in the Veterans Affairs PTSD Coach Smartphone App

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月23日

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  • Shannon E. McCaslin,
  • Shilpa Hampole,
  • Katherine M. Juhasz,
  • Margaret-Anne Mackintosh,
  • Justina Wu,
  • Colleen Becket-Davenport,
  • Jeane Bosch,
  • Andrea L. Jamison,
  • Jason E. Owen,
  • Kelly M. Ramsey,
  • Sarra Nazem,
  • Pearl McGee-Vincent

摘要

The Safety Planning Intervention (SPI) is an empirically supported suicide prevention intervention. Given the increased risk of suicide among veterans, VA’s National Center for PTSD (NCPTSD) aimed to expand accessibility of SPI by embedding a Safety Plan module (SPM) in PTSD Coach, a free, publicly available mobile app. This mixed-methods quality improvement evaluation aimed to (1) characterize usage and (2) examine acceptability, usability, and facilitators for and barriers to use of the SPM. Three data sources were utilized, including anonymous usage data (N = 1408), a brief in-app satisfaction survey (N = 468), and semi-structured interviews focused on SPM user experiences (N = 15). Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, while qualitative data were analyzed using Rapid Qualitative Analysis. Based on usage data, mean completion was 3.3 steps (SD = 1.76). Satisfaction survey data indicated that 78.9% were somewhat to very satisfied with the SPM, with differences in how users arrived at the app and/or SPM and factors that led to SPM use. Interview participants described the SPM as flexible and easy to use but noted areas for improvement including navigation, personalization, and accessibility during crisis moments. Facilitators for use included security, privacy, and therapeutic empowerment; barriers included difficulty locating and opening the embedded module and cognitive overload when distressed. Digital SPM approaches may be promising tools for individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts. Improvements designed to enhance engagement, accessibility, and integration into care are critical to best meet diverse user needs. Future quality improvement efforts that include a broader range of demographic representation are necessary.