Integrating Safety Plans for Suicidal Patients Into Patient Portals: Challenges and Opportunities

Safety planning is an emerging evidence-based practice that is effective at decreasing suicidal behaviors. As electronic medical records and patient portals become more prevalent, patients and clinicians have recognized the value of using this technology in the safety planning process. This column describes the experience of one federally qualified health center, the Institute for Family Health, in integrating safety plans into the patient portal. The authors argue that incorporating safety plans into patient portals may unlock a new to way to expand safety planning efforts in health settings—a way that may ultimately save lives.