Sources & evidence

Supports a structured suicide inquiry, risk and protective factor review, intervention selection, and documentation. It does not replace organizational policy or licensed clinical judgment.

Supports brief validated screening followed by a brief suicide safety assessment and disposition pathway. Screening alone is not a disposition decision.

Supports plain-language screening for suicidal thoughts, preparation, and behavior. Organizations must establish approved triage thresholds and care pathways.

Supports collaborative, personalized safety planning with warning signs, coping, social and professional supports, and means safety. It is not a no-harm contract.

Supports U.S. crisis contact by call, text, or chat. The Lifeline is not a substitute for 911 or emergency medical response when danger or medical instability is immediate.

Supports general emotion coaching, calm responding, and connection. It does not establish individualized treatment recommendations or clinical outcomes.

Supports evidence-informed parenting and parent-child relationship principles. Footsteps does not reproduce proprietary intervention materials or claim that a public skill activity is a validated treatment program.

Supports the distinction between educational family skills and legal custody or parenting-time decisions. Footsteps does not provide legal advice or interpret court orders.

Supports the safety boundary that communication strategies are not appropriate in every case and must not override safety concerns or court requirements.