What Has Been Most Helpful in Your SH Safety Plan?

[William_Peters]

I am currently trying to develop a safety plan because of ongoing self-harm urges and suicidal thoughts.

For those who have safety plans, what kinds of things have you included that you found helpful? For example, warning signs, coping strategies, people to contact, places to avoid, or anything else that has worked for you.

I am interested in hearing what has been useful for others as I work on my own plan.

 

[Sideways]

Identifying my own warning signs, and having appropriate interventions that I was willing to commit to when they happen. Mine was a traffic light system - more serious warning signs had more serious interventions.

It was an incredibly helpful process for me - one that I have revisited multiple times over the years as I’ve gotten to know the way my depression tends play out. It’s incredibly individual, and safety plans are an excellent way to make sure that interventions respond to what you need, not what the textbook says others should be concerned about.

 

[William_Peters]

Thank you for sharing that. I like the idea of a traffic light system because my warning signs can change in intensity. It also makes sense that the interventions should be based on what actually works for the individual rather than a generic plan.