Child Crisis - Means Restriction Education

About the Program

Category: Children and Youth (Best in Category)

Year: 2012

Child Crisis – Means Restriction Education Hennepin County, MN Population: 1,119,364 Hennepin County, Minnesota’s Child Crisis team implemented an innovative new parent training protocol, Suicide Means Restriction Education (MRE), as part of all crisis calls and mobile visits for youth aged up to 18 in mental health crisis. MRE is a parent education and action oriented intervention. It is offered to caregivers at the time of self-injurious behavior, or suicidal ideation, intent, or attempt by youth, and may prevent more serious attempts. MRE crisis encounters may occur via phone or face-to-face at a site chosen by the family. It is available at all times and is provided by trained mental health professionals and practitioners. The MRE method includes stating to the parent that the child is at risk, identifying the reason for concern, and informing that availability of lethal means increases risk of injury or death. A parent training model is used to engage and motivate caregivers to secure the home environment or other locations frequented by youth. Supplies such as medication lock boxes or gun locks are provided free of charge. Child Crisis staff attend training on the MRE method as used in hospital emergency rooms and tailor MRE practice to a mobile crisis service. Staff created an electronic version of the training presentation in the event of staff turnover. In the first eight months of implementation, 312 Hennepin County parents have been trained in MRE. Families have accepted 36 medication lock boxes and four gun locks. Thirty-eight metro county crisis providers have been trained to use MRE with families in crisis. Mental health case managers are using MRE with families in long term services. This no-cost program addresses youth suicide and educates parents on the many risks surrounding this behavior.