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Crisis Safety Plan

A step-by-step plan for the moments when it gets dark

This is the Stanley–Brown Safety Plan — six steps, in order. Fill it out when you’re okay, not when you’re in crisis. Keep a copy somewhere you’ll find it. Share a copy with someone you trust. If you’re in crisis right now, skip to Step 5 or call 988.

If you’re in crisis right now:
  • US — 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988 (24/7, free, confidential)
  • International: findahelpline.com — country-specific crisis lines
  • Emergency services: 911 (US) / 112 (EU) / 999 (UK)

Warning signs

Thoughts, images, moods, behaviors, or situations that tell me a crisis may be building.

1.
2.
3.
4.

Internal coping strategies

Things I can do on my own, without contacting anyone, to take my mind off the thoughts.

1.
2.
3.
4.

People and places that distract

Social settings, not professional help yet — just being around other people or in a calming place.

Person / place 1
Person / place 2
Person / place 3

People I can ask for help

People I can actually tell what’s going on. Names and phone numbers.

Name 1 + phone
Name 2 + phone
Name 3 + phone

Professionals and agencies

Therapist, psychiatrist, primary care, crisis line, ER. Keep numbers here so you don’t have to search in a bad moment.

Therapist + phone
Psychiatrist / prescriber + phone
Local emergency room
Crisis line (US 988 preprinted above)

Making the environment safe

Removing or limiting access to the means of harm is the single most evidence-backed part of this plan. What will I do, and who will help me do it?

What I’ll remove or secure
Who will help me do this
Where I’ll keep those items during hard times

One reason to keep going

Not a test. Just write whatever actually comes to mind.

Reason

Signed

Signed
Date

Privacy: This page is a static printable. Nothing is saved, transmitted, or tracked. Print it, fill it by hand, and keep it somewhere private.