when a young person tells you that they've been having thoughts about wanting to die
or that they want to harm or kill themselves working on a safety plan can help you figure
out what to do if those thoughts start becoming stronger safety plans are not safety contracts in
fact we know from research that safety contracts don't work safety plans can help you understand
these four things the situations that increase risk some of the things that will help keep your
youth safe how to develop a plan for coping and how to reach out to supports as needed
start by taking time to understand what situations trigger your youth
some common ones are fights with family or friends breakups school stress not being
part of social activities sleep difficulties or long periods of low mood this information
will help you and your youth be more aware of when their risk of harm might increase
find out what people things and values are important to your youth friends family
members pets and plans for the future can help build hope that life is worth living learn the
early warning signs that your youth is getting upset body sensations emotions and changes in
behavior specific to your youth can be good clues that they may be thinking of hurting themselves
talk about how you or your youth can know early on when they're headed for a crisis
think about what activities and ways of coping help things from getting worse
go over coping strategies that have worked for your youth in the past
find ways to keep their mind from focusing on what's bothering them until they're calmer
mindfulness and grounding exercises are common skills youth use to cope with stress
identify who and what supports your youth would be willing to reach out to if things get worse
write down important numbers so that they don't have to search for them
these can include relatives supportive adults local crisis lines and kids help phone discuss
what the plan will be if things get to that point including the possibility of coming to hospital
think about what ways you and your youth could lower the risk of harming themselves before it
happens in what ways does the house need to be safety proofed some examples are locking up any
medications even the over-the-counter ones and removing access to sharps like razors or knives
make copies of this plan or take a picture with your youth's cell phone
so that they always have it with them review and talk about the plan regularly
with your youth's permission share this plan with teachers of important adults
think together about how the plan might need to change at home at school or in the community
spotting what's been helpful to your youth in the past shows that you're
paying attention to how your youth is feeling outside of moments of crisis
this may also be a good time to plan ahead for your own emotional reaction to this crisis
think of people you can call for support and ways of coping that work for you
it is totally normal to feel overwhelmed and unsure about how to help remember that your youth
is already likely feeling worried about telling you when they're at the worst if they know that
you'll react calmly and with compassion to their pain they're more likely to reach out when they're
feeling stressed finally trust your gut if you're feeling uncomfortable managing your youth safety
reach out to your clinician call a crisis line or consider coming to hospital every family will
have their own limits for when to involve professionals take a look at other videos
in our series to learn more about how to support your youth when they are thinking about suicide