Safety Plan

Safety planning is an evidence-based technique designed to help clients collaboratively reduce the risk of suicidal behavior by developing a personal, actionable plan.

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Professional version

Offers theory, guidance, and prompts for mental health professionals. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.

Client version

Includes client-friendly guidance. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.

Editable version (PPT)

An editable Microsoft PowerPoint version of the resource.

Editable version (DOC)

An editable Microsoft Word version of the resource.

Overview

Safety plans focus on empowering clients to take actionable steps during a crisis. A number of studies support the use of safety planning as an effective intervention in reducing suicidal behaviors and increasing patient engagement with healthcare services. The Safety Plan exercise is a structured tool that can be used by mental health professionals working with clients at risk of suicide. It consists of a organized list of coping strategies and contacts that clients can use during a crisis. Developed collaboratively between therapist and client, the plan is intended to help clients manage their distress by recognizing warning signs and using tailored coping mechanisms and support networks.

Why Use This Resource?

Safety planning is a critical component of comprehensive suicide prevention efforts. It is distinctive from earlier methods such as 'no-suicide contracts', offering more effective support through:

  • Structured development of personal coping strategies.
  • Empowerment through direct involvement in creating the plan.
  • Facilitation of professional engagement and continuity of care.

Key Benefits

Structure

Organizes coping strategies into a clear, actionable plan.

Empowerment

Clients contribute directly to the creation of their safety plan.

Support

Facilitates ongoing professional support and resource accessibility.

Engagement

Strengthens the client-clinician alliance through collaborative planning.

Who is this for?

Suicidal Thoughts And Behaviors

People experiencing suicidal ideation, urges, or behaviors who need a structured and collaborative plan to manage risk during crises.

Depression

Clients with major depressive episodes who are at increased risk of suicidal thoughts, hopelessness, or withdrawal.

Bipolar Disorder

People navigating depressive or mixed episodes, where suicidal ideation or impulsivity may increase.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Clients with intense emotional states, impulsivity, or chronic suicidality who benefit from structured crisis planning.

Integrating it into your practice

01

Identify

Recognize warning signs and triggers for suicidal thoughts.

02

Coping

Describe internal coping strategies that clients can deploy independently.

03

Engage

Include social contacts who can support clients.

04

Connect

Ensure clients have access to mental health professionals and services.

05

Restrict

Minimize clients' access to means of self-harm.

06

Evaluate

Review and assess the viability of the plan for client use.

Theoretical Background & Therapist Guidance

Safety planning is an evidence-based intervention designed to reduce the immediate risk of suicidal behavior. It has become a key component of comprehensive care for individuals at risk of suicide. A safety plan is a collaboratively developed, hierarchically arranged written list of coping strategies and sources of support that individuals can use during a suicidal crisis (Henriques et al., 2003).

The safety planning intervention (SPI) described by Stanley and Brown (2008) typically takes 20-45 minutes to complete and is designed to be brief, practical, and personalized. It includes steps such as recognizing warning signs, employing internal coping strategies, seeking social and professional support, and reducing access to lethal means. Evidence from clinical trials (e.g., Stanley et al., 2018) shows that incorporating a safety plan into care improves client engagement with services and significantly reduces suicidal behavior.

Unlike ‘no-suicide contracts’ — which lack empirical support and may inhibit honest disclosure — safety planning focuses on actionable, therapeutic strategies and encourages a collaborative clinician-client relationship. It communicates to the client that help is available and provides a clear, accessible roadmap to navigate moments of crisis.

Clinicians are encouraged to treat safety planning not as a standalone solution but as one part of a broader treatment approach that includes comprehensive risk assessment, psychological and pharmacological interventions, and, when necessary, hospitalization. When used as intended, the safety plan can enhances patient agency, promotes continuity of care, and supports recovery.

What's inside

  • A step-by-step guide to implementing a safety plan.
  • Prompts for identifying triggers, coping strategies, and supportive contacts.
  • Templates for documenting comprehensive crisis management strategies.
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FAQs

A safety plan is a collaborative document outlining specific coping strategies and contacts for individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts.
A safety plan provides an actionable list of steps tailored to the individual, whereas no-suicide contracts do not involve specific interventions and have limited empirical support.
A safety plan should include coping strategies, contact information for support systems, and methods for reducing access to means of self-harm.

How This Resource Improves Clinical Outcomes

Using the Safety Plan in therapy can significantly can improve outcomes by:

  • Taking proactive steps to manage future crises.
  • Improving client engagement with mental health services.
  • Reducing immediate and future suicide risk.

References And Further Reading

  • Glander, S., Moore, M., Michielutte, R., & Parsons, L. (1998). The prevalence of domestic violence among women seeking abortion. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 91(6), 1002-1006.
  • Henriques, G., Beck, A. T., & Brown, G. K. (2003). Cognitive therapy for adolescent and young adult suicide attempters. American Behavioral Scientist, 46(9), 1258-1268.
  • Lipovsky, J. A., Swenson, C. C., Ralston, M. E., & Saunders, B. E. (1998). The abuse clarification process in the treatment of intrafamilial child abuse. Child Abuse & Neglect, 22(7), 729-741.
  • Rudd, M. D., Mandrusiak, M., & Joiner Jr, T. E. (2006). The case against no‐suicide contracts: The commitment to treatment statement as a practice alternative. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 62(2), 243-251.
  • Shaffer, D., & Pfeffer, C. R. (2001). Practice parameter for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with suicidal behavior. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 40(7), 24S-51S.
  • Stanley, B., Brown, G. K., Karlin, B., Kemp, J. E., & VonBergen, H. A. (2008). Safety plan treatment manual to reduce suicide risk: Veteran version. Washington, DC: United States Department of Veterans Affairs, 12.
  • Stanley, B., & Brown, G. K. (2012). Safety planning intervention: a brief intervention to mitigate suicide risk. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 19(2), 256-264.
  • Stanley, B., Brown, G. K., Brenner, L. A., Galfalvy, H. C., Currier, G. W., Knox, K. L., ... & Green, K. L. (2018). Comparison of the safety planning intervention with follow-up vs usual care of suicidal patients treated in the emergency department. JAMA Psychiatry, 75(9), 894-900.