[BCM] [PD] [SOP] Incident Response: Suicide / Attempted Suicide

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

Incident Response

Suicide / Attempted Suicide

Introduction

Suicide-related incidents are highly sensitive and critical events

In residential care settings, such incidents also pose significant operational, legal, and continuity risks, particularly where vulnerable individuals depend on uninterrupted supervision and care.

This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) provides a structured framework for responding to situations where a resident is believed to have attempted or died by suicide.

It focuses on immediate life safety, clear escalation, effective coordination of care, accurate reporting, and post-incident support, while avoiding graphic detail and ensuring respectful handling of all individuals involved.

As an integral part of the organisation’s Business Continuity Management (BCM) system and Agency-Endorsed Business Continuity Plan (BCP), this SOP ensures that critical care services continue during and after such incidents.

It establishes defined roles, activation criteria, communication pathways, and review mechanisms, supporting regulatory compliance, organisational resilience, and the ongoing safety and well-being of residents and staff.

Purpose

• Explain the purpose: to ensure a consistent, compassionate, safe, and effective response if a resident is believed to have attempted or died by suicide.
• Define scope: applies to all staff, volunteers, management, and contractors in the home.
• Clarify that this SOP is part of the organisation’s BCP and BCM system to maintain safety and continuity of care.

Definitions and Applicability

(Use neutral, non-graphic terms)

• Suicide-related incident
  An event where a resident displays behaviour or is found in a situation requiring immediate life-supporting intervention due to self-harm or an attempt on their own life.
• Attempted suicide
  A situation where a resident exhibits self-directed actions that could have resulted in serious harm, but where the person survives.

Note: This SOP refers to immediate response and care coordination, not counselling therapy; trained professionals should lead emotional support and clinical follow-ups.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Incident Response Team (IRT)
  A designated multi-disciplinary team is activated when an incident occurs.
  • Coordinator (Senior Manager / PIC)
  • Duty Staff on site
  • Medical First Responders (if trained)
  • Communications Support
  • Safety & Risk Officer
• Duty Staff On-Scene
  Provide first care, secure the area, and alert the IRT immediately.

BCM alignment: Clear roles with backups reduce confusion during critical events and help maintain operational continuity.

Risk Assessment & Preparedness (BCM Pre-Incident)

As part of a BCP/BCM framework, regularly (e.g., quarterly or annually):

• Identify risk factors and triggers (e.g., mental health history, changes in behaviour, stressors).
• Document mitigation measures (e.g., supervision levels, safe environment checks, removal of hazards).
• Ensure staff training on recognising warning signs and handling sensitive crises.
• Prepare checklists and phone trees for escalation.

BCM alignment: This is part of the BCM risk assessment and business impact analysis.

Activation Criteria

Define clear criteria for when this SOP is triggered, such as:

• A resident is discovered unconscious or injured with indicators of self-harm.
• A resident expresses imminent intent requiring urgent care.

If unsure whether the criteria are met, staff must activate the plan and treat the situation as urgent.

Immediate Response Procedure

A. Life Safety

• Ensure the immediate safety of the resident and others in the vicinity.
• Call emergency services (995 in Singapore) if urgent medical attention is needed.
• Provide basic first response within the level of training (e.g., call for AED or first aid trained staff).

B. Scene Safety

• Keep the area secure for safety and later review.
• Do not disturb the area beyond what is needed for immediate care unless directed by medical officials.

C. Staff Communication

• Notify the Incident Response Team immediately.
• Activate the internal phone/email incident contact tree.

BCM alignment: Quick, coordinated response supports the continuity of the core mission—ensuring residents’ safety.

Reporting & Documentation

• Internal Incident Report
  • Time, location, people involved, and immediate response actions.
  • Observations in neutral, factual language.
• External Reporting
  • Notify relevant authorities and, if applicable, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) within required timelines for significant incidents.
  • Escalate to regulators, board, and funders as required by funding agreements.

Good documentation supports accountability, review, and future planning.

Post-Incident Care & Support

• Medical & Psychological Follow-up
  • Coordinate with medical and mental health professionals for resident care.
  • Staff debriefing and access to support services to reduce secondary trauma.
• Family / Guardian Communication
  • Compassionately provide accurate, timely updates.

Continuity Actions

After stabilising the situation:

• Service Continuity
  • Ensure staffing levels remain adequate.
  • Redistribute duties if needed to maintain resident care services.
• Review of Impact
  • Assess if operations were affected (e.g., resident routines, therapy schedules).
  • Adjust plans to mitigate similar future disruptions.

BCM alignment: This ensures continuity of critical functions and recovery planning.

Review & Improvement

• Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
  • Conduct a structured review of the incident involving relevant stakeholders.
• Update SOP / BCP
  • Modify procedures, training, and risk assessments based on lessons learned.

Regular exercises (walk-throughs, simulations) should keep staff familiar with this SOP.

Key BCM Concepts Integrated

• ✔ Risk assessment for suicide risk and triggers (part of broader risk register)
• ✔ Business impact analysis for continuity of critical services
• ✔ Defined roles and activation criteria
• ✔ Communication pathways and escalation trees
• ✔ Documentation for accountability and compliance
• ✔ Post-incident continuity and recovery planning

Helpful Local Support Resources (to Reference in SOP)

• Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) — crisis support and training for professionals.
  

This SOP ensures that incidents of escape from the institution are managed systematically, safely, and in alignment with BCM principles, while fulfilling MSF’s Prevailing BCP Requirements.

It strengthens organisational resilience, safeguards vulnerable residents, and supports the continuity of essential care services during disruptive incidents.

More Information About Business Continuity Management Courses

To learn more about the course and schedule, click the buttons below for the  BCM-300 Business Continuity Management Implementer [BCM-3] and the BCM-5000 Business Continuity Management Expert Implementer [BCM-5].

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