Safety Planning Tools
A safety plan is a powerful tool for staying grounded during moments of crisis. This page provides easy, printable templates that help you create a clear plan for staying safe. You can use these tools to identify your triggers, write down grounding strategies, list the people you trust, and outline steps to take if you start feeling overwhelmed. These templates are simple, private, and designed to support you in your most vulnerable moments.
Personal Crisis Plan
A personal crisis plan outlines what you need when emotions, thoughts, or stress begin to escalate. It gives you a map to follow when things feel chaotic.
What to include:
Early signs that you’re heading into a crisis
What helps you calm down
Where you can go if you need space
Who you want to contact for support
What you want others to know about helping you
Steps to take if things worsen
Think of this as your guide during moments when clear thinking is hard.
People You Can Contact
When you’re struggling, it can be hard to remember who to reach out to. This section gathers your support system in one place.
You can list:
Trusted friends or family
A partner or roommate
A therapist or counsellor
Crisis phone lines or online chat supports
Local emergency numbers
Leave space for names, phone numbers, and notes about when and how they can best support you.
Triggers can bring strong emotional or physical reactions. Understanding them helps you prepare and respond with compassion instead of panic.
In this section, you can outline:
What your specific triggers are
How they show up in your body and mind
Grounding or calming strategies that work
Situations to approach carefully
How to communicate your needs to others
You can also include “If this happens, I will…” statements to guide your response.
Coping with Triggers
Relapse Prevention Plan
Relapse can happen with mental health symptoms, addiction, self-harm impulses, or old coping habits. A plan can help you catch early warning signs and stay grounded.
Your plan may include:
Early signs you’re slipping
High-risk situations
People, places, or patterns you want to avoid
Tools that help you stay steady
What to do if relapse happens
A compassionate reminder that setbacks are part of healing
This plan supports growth, not perfection.
Medication and Appointment Tracker
Keeping track of your healthcare details helps you stay consistent and informed.
You can include:
Current medications and dosages
When to take each medication
Refill dates
Side effects you want to monitor
Upcoming appointments
Questions for your doctor or therapist
Weekly notes on how you’ve been feeling
This creates a clear, organized view of your care.
Safety Planning Links
Alongside the tools we provide here, you will also find links to trusted outside resources that can help you build or strengthen your safety plan. These include downloadable templates, crisis planning guides, mental health worksheets, and evidence-based supports created by hospitals, community organizations, and mental health professionals. Every link has been chosen to offer clarity, empowerment, and practical steps you can use right away. Think of this section as a library of reliable options you can explore at your own pace, so you never have to figure things out alone or start from scratch.
https://988lifeline.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Brown_StanleySafetyPlanTemplate1.pdf
https://suicide.ca/en/make-a-safety-plan
https://sprc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/SafetyPlanningGuide-Quick-Guide-for-Clinicians.pdf
