The purpose of the Safety Planning Intervention is to provide people who are experiencing suicidal ideation with a specific set of concrete strategies to use in order to decrease the risk of suicidal behavior. The safety plan includes coping strategies that may be used and individuals or agencies that may be contacted during a crisis.

​The Safety Planning Intervention is a collaborative effort between a treatment provider and a patient and takes about 30 minutes to complete. The basic steps of a safety plan include:
  • recognizing the warning signs of an impending suicidal crisis
  • using your own coping strategies
  • contacting others in order to distract from suicidal thoughts
  • contacting family members or friends who may help to resolve the crisis
  • contacting mental health professionals or agencies
  • reducing the availability of means to complete suicide

Click Here for more on Safety Planning as a brief intervention for reducing suicide risk. 

If you've ever had suicidal thoughts, make a safety plan​

Alia E. Dastagir, USA TODAY, 2/28/18
Create your support system
Add the contact information of the 3 people you feel you would like to talk to when you are having thoughts of suicide.
Build your safety plan
Customize your safety plan by identifying your personal warning signs, coping strategies, distractions and personal networks. This safety plan will be with you at all times and can help you stay safe when you start thinking about suicide. 
Access Important Resources
Hold all your resources in the palm of your hand. Whether you're a veteran, want support from your local community, or want to learn more about suicide prevention, pick the resources that best support you.
Get support at times of greatest risk
When you're having thoughts of suicide and it feels like there’s no hope in sight, find support at your fingertips at any time of the day.
Access the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7
A trained counselor from a crisis center near you can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Anyone can call, whether you’re concerned for yourself or someone else. If you need someone to talk to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is always ready for the call.

The Use of No-Suicide Contracts

Suicide prevention experts discourage the use of no-suicide contracts. With a no-suicide contract, the client signs an agreement promising not to do anything to harm or kill himself or herself within a specified period of time. Instead, safety plans are held as the intervention to use with clients who struggle with suicidal ideation. 
MY3 could really help you if you're feeling suicidal and need support to stay safe.
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
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