How to Create a Mental Health Safety Plan

Building a Barrier: Essential Strategies for Mental Health Crisis Prevention

By Grand Rising Staff

May 6, 2025

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Understanding the Importance of a Safety Plan in Mental Health Care

Creating a mental health safety plan is a proactive and vital step in managing personal well-being, especially during challenging emotional times. It is a structured, personalized strategy designed to help individuals recognize their warning signs, employ coping techniques, and reach out for support before a crisis escalates. This article will explore how to develop an effective safety plan, its key components, the benefits it offers in suicide prevention, and practical resources to guide the process.

Fundamentals of Developing a Safety Plan

How can I create an effective mental health safety plan?

Creating an effective mental health safety plan involves working closely with the individual to identify their unique warning signs that suggest they are nearing a crisis. These signs could include specific thoughts, emotional patterns, physical sensations, or mental images that occur before their feelings of distress escalate.

Once warning signs are identified, the person should develop internal coping strategies they can use independently. These might include relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or mindfulness, engaging in physical activities, or distracting themselves with hobbies or creative outlets.

A vital part of the safety plan is listing trusted contacts—friends, family members, or mental health professionals—along with their contact details. These individuals can provide immediate support or distraction during difficult moments.

Additionally, the plan should outline ways to reduce access to means of self-harm. This can involve safely storing or removing firearms, medications, or household items that could be used to harm oneself.

Importantly, the plan should be personalized, simple, and feel achievable for the individual. It should be owned by the person, regularly reviewed, and updated as their circumstances or needs change.

Having a written or digital copy of the plan accessible at all times—on a phone, printed, or via an app—can make a significant difference during a crisis. Working with a mental health professional during the development phase can enhance the plan’s effectiveness, ensuring it is tailored and feasible.

Overall, a well-crafted safety plan is a proactive measure designed to help manage feelings of hopelessness or distress before they lead to harmful actions. It serves as a practical guide, empowering individuals to seek help, apply coping skills, and make their environment safer.

What are the key components of a mental health safety plan?

A comprehensive safety plan includes several core components:

Warning signs identification: Recognizing early indicators such as mood changes, behavioral shifts, or specific triggers like anniversaries or relationship issues.
Internal coping strategies: Techniques individuals can use alone, such as deep breathing, meditation, engaging in hobbies, or physical activity.
Distraction and support sources: Listing social settings, activities, or objects that help divert attention from distressing thoughts.
Trusted contacts: Friends, family members, or community support that can be approached for distraction or assistance.
Professional and crisis resources: Contact details for mental health professionals, crisis helplines like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, or local emergency services.
Environmental safety measures: Steps to make the environment safer by removing or securing potential means of self-harm.

The safety plan should be in the individual’s own words, kept brief and easy to understand, and tailored to what personally works for them.

How does a safety plan aid in suicide prevention?

A safety plan is a crucial tool in saving lives because it provides a structured, personalized approach to managing suicidal thoughts. When a person recognizes early warning signs—such as feelings of despair, irritability, or specific triggers—they can activate their safety plan.

The plan guides them to employ coping strategies immediately, such as engaging in calming activities or contacting trusted support persons. It also ensures they know how to make their environment safer by removing or securing lethal means.

By clearly outlining whom to contact and when to seek professional help, safety plans facilitate quick and effective intervention.

Research shows that safety planning reduces the likelihood of a suicide attempt, hospitalization, and symptom severity. It acts as a proactive safeguard, empowering individuals to navigate their feelings safely until they can access professional treatment or their distress subsides.

What resources or templates are available for developing a mental health safety plan?

Numerous resources exist to assist in creating safety plans. Online templates include worksheets from TherapistAid.com, which guide users step-by-step through recognizing warning signs, listing coping strategies, and noting support contacts.

The Suicide Prevention Resource Center offers detailed guides and customizable templates suitable for individuals at risk.

Mobile apps like Beyond Now—developed by Beyond Blue and supported by Lifeline—provide interactive tools for developing, storing, and reviewing safety plans. These apps often include prompts and questions to personalize plans further.

Key resources also feature contact information for national and local crisis hotlines, mental health services, and emergency contacts. They emphasize creating plans that are brief, clear, and in the person’s own words to encourage regular use.

What should be included in a mental health safety plan?

A thorough safety plan typically contains:

Warning signs: Personal cues such as thoughts, moods, or physical sensations indicating increased risk.
Coping skills: Activities or techniques like relaxation, exercise, or mindfulness that help reduce distress.
Reasons for living: Personal motivations such as loved ones, future goals, or meaningful activities.
Support contacts: Names and phone numbers of trusted friends, family, or professionals available to provide immediate support.
Professional resources: Contact details for mental health services, crisis centers, and emergency helplines.
Environmental safety: Procedures for removing or securing items like firearms, medications, or hazardous household objects.

The plan should be accessible, easy to understand, personalized, and updated regularly.

How can safety planning be integrated with professional support and collaborative efforts?

Effective safety planning involves a team effort. Mental health professionals collaborate with the individual to develop a personalized strategy, ensuring it aligns with their needs and circumstances.

During this process, family members or support persons can be involved to clarify their roles and how they can assist during a crisis.

Regular reviews of the safety plan by clinicians, combined with feedback from the individual and their support system, help keep it relevant and effective.

Training staff in safety planning techniques, documenting the plan thoroughly, and making it easily accessible for all involved ensures cohesive support.

This collaborative approach fosters trust, enhances adherence to the safety plan, and increases the likelihood of preventing harm.

What are best practices for safety planning in mental health care?

Best practices include involving the individual actively in the creation of the plan, ensuring it reflects their personal preferences and cultural background.

The plan should be simple, clear, and written in a way that the person understands easily.

Every safety plan should be reviewed regularly and updated to match changes in circumstances or feelings.

Providers should train staff thoroughly in safety planning procedures and document each plan meticulously.

Additionally, integrating safety planning into ongoing treatment, emergency protocols, and community support networks maximizes its effectiveness.

Consistent practice and reinforcement of the safety plan encourage the individual to use it confidently during times of crisis.

Practical Strategies for an Effective Safety Plan

Keep It Simple: Accessible and Clear Safety Strategies

Personalization and Ownership of the Plan

Creating a safety plan is most effective when it is personalized. The individual at risk should be involved in developing each step, ensuring the plan reflects their unique warning signs, coping strategies, and sources of support. It’s important that the person feels ownership over the plan, making it more likely they will use it during difficult times. When people craft their own plan, it helps them stay engaged and motivated to follow the outlined actions.

Making the Plan Accessible and Easy to Understand

An effective safety plan needs to be simple, clear, and easy to read. It should be written in the individual's own words, highlighting everyday language that they can easily recall and understand during a crisis. The plan can be stored digitally on a phone, as a PDF, or printed out and kept in a safe, accessible place. Whether through apps like MY3 or physical copies, accessibility ensures the plan can be quickly referenced when needed.

Regular Review and Updating of the Plan

Since circumstances, relationships, and triggers can change, the safety plan should be reviewed regularly. Mental health professionals and the individual should revisit the plan during routine check-ins to ensure it remains relevant and effective. Updating the plan can involve adding new coping strategies, adjusting support contacts, or modifying safety measures based on current needs. This ongoing process helps maintain a sense of preparedness and confidence in managing crises.

Involving Trusted Support Persons and Professionals

Involving friends, family, and mental health professionals is crucial. Trusted individuals can act as distraction sources or provide emergency support if the individual is unable to manage their feelings alone. Mental health practitioners can guide and collaborate during the creation of the plan, ensuring it includes appropriate resources and safety measures. Sharing the plan with these support persons fosters a network of care, increasing the chances of timely intervention when necessary.

Strategy Component	Description	Benefits
Personalization	Tailoring the plan to individual needs and triggers	Enhances relevance and motivation to follow through
Accessibility	Keeping the plan easy to read, store, and locate	Ensures quick reference during a crisis
Regular Review	Updating the plan periodically with professional input	Keeps the plan current and effective
Support Involvement	Engaging trusted persons and experts in development and use	Provides additional safety and reassurance

Environmental and Means Safety Measures

Secure Your Environment: Remove Access to Self-Harm Means

Reducing Access to Potential Self-Harm Means

One of the most important steps in a safety plan is limiting access to items that could be used for self-harm. This includes firearms, medications, household chemicals, or other dangerous objects. By removing or locking away these items, individuals can create a safer environment, reducing impulsive actions during moments of crisis.

Securing Household Items and Dangerous Substances

Secure storage is essential for household hazards. Firearms should be unloaded and stored in locked safes, with ammunition kept separately. Medications should be locked in cabinets, with unneeded prescriptions discarded properly. Harmful substances like cleaning chemicals, poisons, and toxic plants should be stored out of reach or in locked containers. Ropes, knives, and other sharp objects should also be secured or removed temporarily.

Environment Modifications for Safety

Making physical space safer involves more than just locking items. Consider installing safety features like gun safes, cabinet locks, and medication lockboxes. Remove or relocate items that could be used for self-harm to less accessible areas. If needed, ask trusted friends or family members to help secure the environment. Creating a calm, orderly space can help reduce stress and impulsivity.

Taking these environmental safety measures helps prevent the temptation or opportunity to self-harm. It’s a proactive way to support someone at risk and enhances the overall effectiveness of a safety plan. Regularly reviewing and updating these safety measures ensures they remain relevant as circumstances change.

Supporting and Reinforcing the Safety Plan

Regular Check-Ins: Keep Your Safety Plan Effective and Up-to-Date

The importance of regular check-ins and monitoring

Consistent follow-up is essential to ensure the safety plan remains effective. Regular check-ins, whether by mental health professionals, family members, or trusted friends, can help assess whether the coping strategies are working and identify any new warning signs early.

Helping the individual to feel ownership over the safety plan

Empowering the person to take ownership of their safety plan increases its effectiveness. Encourage them to personalize the plan in their own words and involve them actively in its development. This ownership fosters a sense of control and confidence in managing their feelings during difficult moments.

Using reminders and motivational strategies

Reminders, such as alerts on phones or notes in visible places, can prompt the individual to review and utilize their safety plan when needed. Motivational strategies like positive affirmations or celebrating small successes help reinforce their commitment to safety strategies and build resilience.

The role of support systems in ongoing safety

Support networks, including trusted friends, family, community groups, and mental health professionals, play a critical role in maintaining safety. Keeping their contact information accessible ensures quick support during crises. Regular communication with these support systems reassures the individual that help is always available and encourages ongoing use of the safety plan.

Empowering People to Safeguard Their Mental Health

Developing a comprehensive and personalized mental health safety plan is a proactive step that can significantly reduce the risk of self-harm and suicidal behaviors. By recognizing warning signs, employing coping strategies, involving trusted contacts, and securing the environment, individuals gain a powerful tool to navigate through times of distress safely. Regular review and collaboration with mental health professionals enhance the plan's effectiveness and relevance. Ultimately, a well-crafted safety plan empowers individuals with the confidence and resources necessary to maintain their mental well-being, fostering resilience and hope during challenging times.