WhatDoISay.org
Write a safety plan with the person at risk
Safety & Crisis Steps
There are 2 types of Safety Plans when someone is at risk. The most common is a plan the person at risk writes, reminding them of the steps they can take from when the risk is low, to steps when the risk is uncomfortably high. There are many examples on the Internet from reputable agencies. At the end of this article, we give you 5 well established safety plans which you can save or print. Under pressure, it is much easier for a distressed person or anyone helping them to consult a written document than try to remember all the options available. Safety plans are widely used and have good evidence that they help.
The other safety net plan is for you trying to help someone who has had suicidal ideas over a period of time. It will help you to respond constructively to the fluctuations that inevitably happen if you make a short note guided by the ideas below and refer to it when you feel the situation is becoming difficult.
Change our example or draw up your own ideas. Print or copy and fill in. Keep a copy each.
1. Identify early signs of difficulty
Make a list of warning signs:
- •Pulling away from people
- •Saying they feel like a burden
- •Saying life is pointless
- •Giving things away or saying goodbye
- •Feeling very stressed
2. What helps them feel steadier and distracts them
Make a list of calming activities:
- •Walking alone or together around a shopping mall
- •Sitting in a café or public space
- •Watching a familiar TV show
- •Doing a routine task together
- •Doing relaxation exercises or meditation with an App such
3. What would they look forward to normally?
Make a list of future hopes:
- •Seeing family members grow up and thrive from children to adulthood
- •Continuing friendships rather than distressed friends for years
- •Financial and career improvement
- •How would they feel over years if someone close suicided?
4. People they can contact
People they are comfortable contacting to just chat with, and people they can be open with about their suicidal ideas:
- •Contact: __________________________
- •Contact: __________________________
- •GP / counsellor: ___________________
5. What you can say
Supportive phrases. Or tap Help to Choose Messages:
- •"I'm here with you." "Message me any time you need help."
- •"You don't have to go through this alone."
- •"Would it help to sit together for a bit?"
Useful question/message: "If our positions were reversed, and I had your problems, what would you advise me to do?"
6. Professional and crisis support
We list multiple telephone support numbers in our Crisis section.
Online / fillable safety plans
Interactive plans you can save or type into digitally.
Beyond Now (Lifeline Australia, formerly Beyond Blue)
An app and web tool that lets you build a personalised, step-by-step safety plan you can carry with you, share, and update anytime. Purpose-built for Australia, includes local crisis numbers.
Suicide.ca (Canada) — My Tools
A six-step interactive safety plan you complete online, with login retained so you can revisit or edit it, and the option to email a copy to your support network.
Staying Safe (UK)
Helps you build your own safety plan online, with guidance on making one for yourself or for someone you're supporting. Linked from Gloucestershire's suicide prevention page.
Stay Alive app (UK, Grassroots Suicide Prevention)
A free app with a built-in safety plan, customisable reasons for living, and a place to store meaningful photos; also has a downloadable/printable version.
Therapist Aid — Safety Plan worksheet (fillable PDF)
Designed for clinicians and clients, opens in Acrobat/Foxit and can be typed into and saved.
Printable blank safety plans
Paper-based, headed pages to fill in by hand.
Stanley-Brown Safety Plan Template (original, current version)
The most widely used clinical template internationally, structured in six steps. Copyrighted by Barbara Stanley, PhD and Gregory K. Brown, PhD (2008, 2021); individual use of the form is permitted, though written permission is required for changes or electronic/EMR use.
988.ca Stanley-Brown Safety Plan
Another clean blank copy, good print layout.
This plan is an added layer of support. It assists but does not replace professional or crisis care.