Safety planning

Research shows that safety planning is an effective way of helping someone manage their suicidal thoughts and impulses.

Studies show that people who create and use safety plans experience fewer suicidal crises.

Having an actionable plan can help someone feel better equipped to cope with their thoughts and feelings, giving them a sense of control over the situation.

What is a safety plan?

A safety plan can help guide someone safely through a mental health crisis. It aims to provide a structured approach to help someone reduce and/or manage suicidal feelings.

The idea of a safety plan is to write down the things that can help you recognise when you’re starting to enter a potential mental health crisis and the things you can do to stay safe.

It is tailored to the individual, should be regularly updated and kept somewhere that is easy for them to access. It could include:

  • Warning signs
  • Things that help
  • Coping strategies
  • Distraction techniques
  • Information about available support
  • Other ways you might keep yourself safe
  • Personal goals and inspiration to help foster feelings of hope

Making a safety plan

Anyone can create a safety plan. It often helps to talk to someone who knows you as you’re doing it. This could be a healthcare professional, friend or family member.

It doesn’t have to be done all at once. You can continue to add to and change information in your safety plan. It is personal to you and needs to be useful to you when you need it.

  1. Warning signs
    • Feeling hopeless
    • Thinking "I can't go on"
    • Increased alcohol use
  2. Coping strategies:
    • Go out for a walk. Focus on the rhythm of my breathing and sounds of my steps
    • Take a bubble bath and listen to my ‘chilled music’ playlist
    • Practice deep breathing exercises
  3. Social contacts and safe environments:
    • Go to [friends/sisters] house
    • Sit in my bedroom and hug my pillow
    • Write a list of things in my control, 10 things I enjoy, 10 films I love and why.
    • Remove alcohol 
  4. Contacting supportive family members or friends:
    • Call my best friend Sam [phone number] or my sister Clare [phone number]
  5. Professional and crisis resources:
    • Local mental health crisis line: NHS 111 option 2
    • Samaritans: Call 116 123
    • SHOUT: Text SHOUT to 85258
  6. Making the environment safe:
    • Ask my roommate to hold onto my medications and keep them locked up
  7. Reasons for living:
    • My love for my family
    • My goal to finish my degree
    • My passion for music
  8. Commitment to safety:
    • I will use this plan when I start to feel overwhelmed. I will reach out for help because my life is valuable.

Templates

Find a template that works for you and keep your safety plan somewhere you can find it if and when you need it.

Templates and safety planning guidance you might find useful: