When someone has a mental health crisis, particularly when suffering from depression, medical professionals will typically try to initiate something called a “safety plan” before sending the person home.
A safety plan is a personalized, structured plan designed to help individuals with severe depression manage crises and reduce the risk of self-harm or suicide. Created in collaboration with a mental health professional, a safety plan outlines specific strategies, support contacts, and coping methods to use during moments of intense distress.
For individuals experiencing severe depression, a safety plan can serve as a life-saving tool, offering guidance and steps to follow when symptoms become overwhelming.
What Are the Key Components of a Safety Plan?
A safety plan typically includes several elements that are tailored to the individual’s unique experiences, warning signs, and support network. The components of a safety plan are structured into sections, which the individual is expected to fill out and follow – possibly with the help of others. Safety plans typically include elements such as:
- Recognizing Warning Signs
In the plan, there are notes to help Identify early warning signs that signal a potential crisis, such as feelings of hopelessness, extreme sadness, social withdrawal, or increased thoughts of self-harm. This section encourages individuals to pay attention to their emotions, physical sensations, and thought patterns that often precede depressive episodes.
- Internal Coping Strategies
Typically, when a person is struggling with severe depression, they have coping strategies that are not particularly helpful to their mental health. So, in this section, listing self-help strategies that an individual can use to cope with distress without needing outside assistance is valuable. These might include deep breathing exercises, meditation, journaling, or physical activity like a short walk.
Coping strategies are intended to provide immediate relief, helping the person focus their thoughts and emotions away from distressing feelings.
- Social Support Contacts
Having contacts is important, and so this section is about identifying friends, family members, or peers who the individual can reach out to when they need emotional support. These are trusted people who can listen, offer encouragement, or provide a distraction during difficult times.
Social support contacts are critical for providing a sense of connection and helping to reduce feelings of isolation that can intensify depressive symptoms.
- Professional Resources and Emergency Contacts
In this section is contact information for mental health professionals, crisis hotlines, and emergency services. This section ensures that the individual has access to immediate help if they need urgent assistance, and may include therapists, psychiatrists, and crisis helplines such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, as well as the contact information for local emergency rooms.
- Creating a Safe Environment
This section is about identifying and reducing access to any items that could be used for self-harm or suicide, such as medications, sharp objects, or other hazardous materials. Family members or trusted friends can assist in securing or removing these items from the home. This step is essential for preventing impulsive actions and reducing the risk of harm during crisis moments.
- Reasons for Living and Personal Goals
Listing personal reasons to continue living, such as relationships, hobbies, or long-term goals. These reminders can provide hope and motivation during times of despair. This section encourages individuals to reflect on meaningful aspects of their life and focus on the positive connections that make recovery worthwhile.
Developing and Using a Safety Plan
A safety plan should be created collaboratively between the individual and a mental health professional, ensuring that the plan is comprehensive, practical, and tailored to the person’s specific needs. During its development, the individual is encouraged to:
- Practice Using the Plan – Familiarizing oneself with each step of the safety plan ensures that it can be followed effectively during a crisis.
- Review and Update Regularly – As situations change, the safety plan should be updated to reflect new coping strategies, contact information, or support networks.
- Keep the Plan Accessible – A safety plan should be readily accessible, such as in a mobile app, on a card in a wallet, or saved in a phone, so it can be easily referenced when needed.
A safety plan provides structure, guidance, and empowerment to individuals managing severe depression. It allows them to take control of their mental health, with practical steps to address intense moments of distress. A well-developed safety plan also reinforces a support network, connecting the individual to their community and to professionals who can help during difficult times. By preparing in advance, individuals and their support teams can create a comprehensive strategy that promotes resilience, safety, and recovery.
In the interim, patients should continue to receive psychiatric services to help with severe depression, including treatments like TMS therapy. If you’re looking for help with depression in the Dallas area, please contact us today.
