Guide to helping someone complete a safety plan 

To find out more about the safety plan, a recognized tool in suicide prevention, take a look at this guide. It’s addressed to professionals and counselors involved in suicide prevention. It explains, in detail, how to accompany someone in creating their interactive safety plan on the My Tools platform. 

Plan de sécurité

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Who is this guide addressed to? 

This guide is addressed to the various counselors in suicide prevention. In other words, it was created for anyone who works with people considering suicide. It provides information on how to elaborate, complete, and guide someone through the process of creating a safety plan in the context of intervention (whether it be in the context of a single session or follow-up).  
  

If you want to complete your safety plan by yourself, you can visit the My Tools platform to create an account and be guided through the process step-by-step.

What you'll find in this guide :

 

What is a safety plan? 

The safety plan is a personalized plan that a person can create to prepare for difficult moments. It consists of steps that the person can follow when they are in distress or thinking about suicide. Every step contains resources and strategies to reduce the intensity of their suicidal thoughts and stay safe.  

  

The plan is most efficient when it is created in collaboration with a counselor and when it is used in the context of a helping relationship, specifically within a follow-up setting. 

 
The safety plan is a tool that has been scientifically validated and that follows best practices in suicide prevention. The My Tools version is inspired by the Stanley-Brown 6 step model. 

What different options are available for the safety plan? 

Several options are available to you to create your suicide.ca safety plan :  
  

1. The interactive version on My Tools
  

This version allows someone to create their safety plan from a connected device and save it. Then, that person can consult their plan, print it out, and send it to themselves by email. As a counselor, you can ask the person to forward the email containing their plan to you and include it in their file.  
  

2. Shortened PDF version 
 
This one-page version can be filled out by downloading it onto your computer or printing it out.  

When should the safety plan be used? 

Ideally, writing a safety plan happens during a follow-up, where the helping person can guide the service user and discuss their strategies and resources that help get them through difficult times.  
  

A safety plan can be created in a single session or throughout several, after working on hope and estimating the suicide danger. It should be discussed while the person is calm so they can better identify their strategies and resources.   
  

The safety plan can be very useful in the context of a follow-up. It allows a space for the person to share strategies they used between sessions, in what contexts they were used, and how helpful they were. In this way, you can have access to important information about the person’s situation and how they deal with difficult moments. It’s important to regularly update the safety plan for it to be as efficient as possible.  

How to introduce the safety plan in session? 

The person thinking about suicide may have trouble expressing how they feel and may be reticent in sharing their suicidal thoughts. It is very important to create an environment where the person can feel safe before talking about the safety plan. Establishing trust with them, listening to them without judgment, and being empathetic help foster their commitment to the safety plan. 

  

Emphasizing how the safety plan is tailored to and by them can encourage them to use the plan, as can reminding them that it can support them through difficult moments and help protect themselves when their suicidal thoughts more intense.    

 

Intervention Plan de sécurité

Key elements to remember when guiding someone through this process  

 

  • Before using the safety plan in your interventions, we suggest filling out a safety plan using the interactive tool. You can fill it out by putting yourself in the shoes of someone creating their own safety plan. You could then use your own safety plan as an example in your follow-ups. The interactive tool was designed to be user friendly and to guide you through each step. 

  

  • Explain it step by step and respect the person’s rhythm : Guide them through each step of the plan, taking time to explain the importance of each one. 
     

  • Encourage the person to reflect on their own strategies and needs rather than answer their questions outright : this should help them integrate elements from their lived experience. Signs of distress or strategies can be more efficient if they are elaborated by the person themselves, rather than simply thought up by the person helping them.   

  

You can support or guide the person in identifying their strategies in getting through difficult moments. If they are having trouble finding some, you can suggest different options. The safety plan needs to include their own words so they can really make it their own. Encourage the person to ask questions and express their concerns throughout the process.  

Try the safety plan

Elaboration : 6 steps to the safety plan

This section describes every step of the safety plan and can advise on how to accompany the person in creating it. 

After filling out the plan  

After you have written the safety plan, try to explore the person’s intention and capacity to apply it as this increases the likelihood of them using it.  

 

Where to keep the safety plan :    

Make sure the safety plan is stored somewhere it can be easily and quickly accessed. For example, you can ask the person what format they chose for their plan, so it is readily available when they experience difficult moments or suicidal ideation.  

 

You can check if it would be useful to have several copies of their plan in different places (on their cellphone, a paper format in their wallet, on their fridge, etc.). 

 

The safety plan can be received in several ways :   

 

  • Go online on My Tools (it’s possible to create a shortcut on your mobile device that leads directly to the safety plan page) 
  • Send yourself a copy by email and save it on your mobile device or computer to have offline access to it 
  • Take screenshots of the plan (to be able to access it offline as well)

  • Print out a copy of the plan (to keep it with you at all times) 

  

  

Identify obstacles :  

 

Allow the person space to share their concerns about using their safety plan and identify potential roadblocks to its use. Work together to see how they can manage these obstacles. For example : 
 

  • How do they feel about using the plan if their suicidal thoughts become overwhelming?  

  • Which parts of the plan are most useful? 

  • Are there aspects of the plan that are unclear or hard to understand? 

  • Are there certain places or situations that may make the plan more difficult to use?  

 

Updating the plan : 

 

It’s important to review the safety plan according to how the person’s situation and needs evolve. For example, the person may want to add information about new activities that distract them, people who can help, or ways to secure their surroundings. The interactive version is easier to modify. The person can keep it up to date on their own as well. 

  

Additional information :   

 

Make sure the person doesn’t feel judged for not using their plan between sessions. They may use strategies without referring to their plan. This can be a good opportunity to discuss challenges the person may be experiencing in using their safety plan.  

Frequently asked questions

Questions about the safety plan? 

For any questions or comments concerning the safety plan, please contact us by using the following link : 

 

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