Which action is explicitly recommended as part of outpatient guidelines for suicidal clients?

• A. Schedule frequent appointments (daily or every other day)
• B. Develop a detailed safety plan
• C. Enlist help of family and friends
• D. Ensure home environment is safe from harm

Answer: (B)

A safety plan is an explicit, collaborative, written plan that a suicidal client can use in the moment to stay safe. It includes recognizing warning signs, internal strategies to cope, people or services to contact for support, steps to reduce access to means, and clear actions if the crisis worsens. In outpatient care, having this concrete plan provides an actionable roadmap for managing urges between visits and gives both the client and clinician a shared tool to rely on during risk. While regular follow-up and involving trusted others or creating a safer home environment are important components of overall care, the safety plan is the explicit, structured approach that outpatient guidelines recommend.