Effectiveness of the care model for people at risk of suicide attempt at Pla Pak Hospital, Nakhon Phanom Province

Abstract

     This study was action research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a care model for individuals at risk of suicide attempts at Pla Pak Hospital, Nakhon Phanom Province. The “Pla Pak SAFE-CARE Model” was implemented as a structured care model comprising screening, assessment, individualized care planning, engagement, continuous follow-up, promotion of access to healthcare services, referral and network coordination, and evaluation. The study sample consisted of 256 individuals at risk of suicide attempts who received care at Pla Pak Hospital, Nakhon Phanom Province. Participants were purposively selected according to the predefined eligibility criteria. Data collection instruments included the 9-item Depression Assessment Questionnaire (9Q) and the 8-item Suicide Risk Assessment Questionnaire (8Q). Data were collected before and after implementation of the care model. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, and mean scores before and after implementation were compared using a paired-samples t-test. The statistical significance level was set at .05.

     Results: Following implementation of the “Pla Pak SAFE-CARE Model,” the mean 9Q depression score decreased from 12.72 ± 3.89 to 7.90 ± 4.24, with a statistically significant difference compared with the pre-implementation score (p < .001). Similarly, the mean 8Q suicide risk score decreased from 8.98 ± 4.31 to 6.09 ± 4.36, representing a statistically significant reduction from baseline (p < .001). These findings indicate that participants experienced reductions in depressive symptoms and suicide risk following implementation of the care model. The findings suggest that the “Pla Pak SAFE-CARE Model” is effective in reducing depressive symptoms and suicide risk among individuals at risk of suicide attempts by integrating screening and assessment with individualized care planning, engagement, and continuous follow-up.