Your Mental Health Safety Plan

Creating your plan

Find a calm time to create your safety plan. Go over it with your doctor or counselor. Ask for feedback. Share this plan with people you trust who can help you through a crisis. Keep your safety plan in a place where you can review it often.

It’s important to commit to using this safety plan. And it’s important to get the support you need. Write down answers to these questions so you are ready when you leave the hospital:

When will I need to use my plan? List the situations and warning signs that mean problems may start to develop.

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What are healthy and safe ways to distract or comfort myself?

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Where can I go to feel safe?

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What are my reasons for living?

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People I can talk to or call for support:

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My doctors or agencies to reach out to for help during a crisis:

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How can I make my environment safe? This may include giving up alcohol and drugs, removing any weapons from the home, and locking up all medicines.

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Follow-up care

Follow up with your doctor as often as advised. Don’t change your treatment or medicines. Talk with your doctor first. It’s important to work closely with your doctor to manage your condition.

Call or text 988

If you are in a crisis or have thoughts of suicide or self-harm, call or text 988 right away. This is the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You will be connected to a trained counselor you can talk to. There's also an online chat option. You can also call Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255). The 988 Lifeline is free and available 24/7.

When to contact your doctor

Contact your doctor right away if:

Your symptoms get worse.
You feel extreme depression, fear, anxiety, or anger toward yourself or others.
You feel out of control.
You feel that you may try to harm yourself or others.
You hear voices that others don’t hear.
You see things that others don’t see.
You haven't slept or eaten for 3 days in a row.
Your friends or family express concern and ask you to get help.