SPED Safeguard Veterans

TITLE: Safeguard Workgroup 1: Clinical Readiness for Veteran Suicide Prevention 

SPONSOR: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs  

INVESTIGATOR: William Scarbrough, Ph.D. (Bill Scarbrough), Stephanie Renno, DSW, LCSW  

ADDRESS: 5550 Sterrett Pl. STE 204, Columbia, MD 21044  

STUDY-RELATED PHONE NUMBER(S): (803) 600-6704, (847)302-4799 

STUDY DATES: Anticipated: February 1, 2026 – January 31, 2027 

Purpose of the Training and Evaluation 

You are invited to participate in a Safety Planning in the Emergency Department (SPED) Training and related evaluation activities. The purpose of this project is to evaluate the usefulness, relevance, and impact of the training on participant knowledge, confidence, and intended clinical practices related to suicide risk assessment, safety planning, and care transitions in emergency department settings. 

What Will You Be Asked to Do? 

If you choose to participate, you will be asked to complete the following activities: 

1. Review this consent form prior to registering for the SPED training. 

2. Complete one or more SPED training modules focused on suicide safety planning in the emergency department  

3. Complete a brief survey immediately following the training. 

4. Complete follow-up surveys approximately 30, 60, and 90 days after completing the training. 

All surveys will be completed electronically and are expected to take approximately 10–15 minutes each. 

Voluntary Participation 

Your participation in the training evaluation is voluntary. You may choose not to complete the surveys or may discontinue participation at any time without penalty or loss of professional standing, continuing education credit (if applicable), or access to the training. 

Risks and Benefits 

Risks: This project involves minimal risk. Training content and survey questions may include discussion of suicide, self-harm, or crisis response, which could cause mild emotional discomfort. You may skip any questions you do not wish to answer. 

Benefits: The SPED training may increase your knowledge and confidence related to suicide prevention, safety planning, and emergency department response practices. Your participation will help improve future training offerings and may contribute to improved care for individuals at risk for suicide. 

Confidentiality 

Information collected as part of this evaluation will be kept confidential to the extent permitted by law. Survey responses will be stored securely and accessed only by authorized members of the research or evaluation team. Results will be reported in aggregate form, and no individual participants will be identified in reports or publications. 

Data Use 

Any data submitted before withdrawal will remain part of the study dataset. De-identified data may be used for research, evaluation, and quality improvement purposes and may be shared with project sponsors or partners. 

Questions, Concerns, or Crisis Support 

Principal Investigator: William Scarbrough, Ph.D. (Bill Scarbrough), 5550 Sterrett Pl. STE 204, Columbia, MD 21044; Phone: (803) 600-6704.   

Co-Principal Investigator: Stephanie Renno, DSW, LCSW, 5550 Sterrett Pl. STE 204, Columbia, MD 21044; Phone: (847)302-4799.  

If you experience distress or need immediate support, you may contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 and then pressing 1, or text 838255, or chat online at veteranscrisisline.net. In an emergency, call 911.  

Consent 

By checking the box below and proceeding, you indicate that you have read and understood this consent form and voluntarily agree to participate in this focus group.  

[ ] I agree to participate and consent