Exploring Potential Obstacles and Solutions to Implementing a Safety Plan Through a Brief Three-Week Safety Planning Group Intervention: Findings over Nine Months

Background/Objectives: Safety Planning Group Interventions (SPGI) represent a novel approach to suicide prevention. Following this three-week intervention, an individualised safety plan was produced by each participant. Within the context of the group setting, obstacles and solutions that may promote engagement with safety plans were discussed. Examining the obstacles and solutions identified by group participants may reveal how to better support people experiencing suicidality and what supports are identified that may support safety plan implementation. This research sought to determine what obstacles participants face when implementing their safety plans and what solutions could be identified for these obstacles. Methods: The study used a qualitative research design. Fifty participants completed an in-group list of potential obstacles and solutions to implementing safety plans, which were analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Results: The analysis yielded the results for two themes. The first theme, External Obstacles and Solutions, with subthemes of environmental and situational barriers, Interpersonal barriers to support, Behavioural and contextual influences, Adaptive coping and support strategies, was identified. The second theme, Internal Obstacles and Solutions, with subthemes of executive functioning and motivation, emotional distress and self-sabotage, stigma and help-seeking, and personal resilience and future-oriented coping, was identified. Conclusions: The findings of this research illustrate the various obstacles and their corresponding solutions that may facilitate safety plan implementation. Recommendations for future research are discussed.