Mark Henick · Personal Tool
Safety
Planning Tool
A personalized, evidence-based plan you can build now and return to anytime. Save a private browser copy, or sign in to sync it securely, then export a printable PDF to keep with you.
If you're in crisis right now: Call or text 988 (US/Canada) or call 911 for immediate help. This is not a failure — it is the right thing to do.
What is a safety plan?
A safety plan is a prioritized set of personal coping strategies and resources you can use when warning signs of crisis appear. Research by Stanley & Brown (2012) shows that safety planning significantly reduces suicidal behavior and increases engagement with treatment compared to standard care alone.
The plan works because it's built in advance — when you're not in crisis — so that when distress escalates, you have concrete steps to follow rather than trying to problem-solve under extreme emotional pressure. Fill this out thoughtfully. Then download or print it and keep it somewhere accessible.
These are your early warning indicators — the internal signals that tell you something is shifting. Knowing them gives you time to act before things escalate.
These are your solo tools: activities, thoughts, or practices that help you manage distress from the inside. Go-to strategies you can use immediately, anywhere.
Sometimes getting out of your head means getting around people. These are environments or individuals that shift your focus and reduce isolation.
These are the humans in your life you trust. Having their numbers written down matters — in crisis, cognitive load makes it hard to remember even familiar information.
Professional contacts are your safety net. Crisis lines are free, confidential, and staffed 24/7 by trained counsellors who can help you navigate what you're facing.
This is one of the most important sections. In the depths of crisis, these reasons become lifelines. Write them as specifically and personally as you can.
Means restriction is one of the most evidence-based strategies for reducing suicide risk. This step is about thinking in advance about what can be done to create a safer environment during crisis.
Your plan is saved only in this browser unless you sign in. Download or print a copy to keep with you.
© 2026 Mark Henick. This is a personal tool and not a substitute for professional mental health care. · markhenick.com