Safety Plan Builder

Build a personal plan, in your own words, for getting through a moment when you feel unsafe with your thoughts, step by step. An optional section covers being unsafe at home.

What you will need

My warning signs: thoughts, feelings or situations that tell me a hard moment is starting (text): For example: not sleeping, pulling away from people, a certain date or place.
Things I can do on my own to get through the moment (text): For example: a walk, a shower, music, prayer, breathing slowly, writing it down.
What matters to me and keeps me going (text): People, faith, pets, plans, anything. One is enough.
More detail: people and places that take my mind off things (text): Somewhere safe with people around, like a friend's house, church or park.
More detail: people I can tell that I am struggling (name and number) (contacts): Up to 3 people. You choose what to tell them.
More detail: professionals and crisis lines (contacts): Pre-filled, cannot be removed: Suicide Crisis Helpline 0800 567 567 (24/7); Cleared Mind 24-hour Careline 0800 212 146; SADAG Mental Health Line 011 234 4837 (08:00-20:00); SAPS 10111; Ambulance 10177; Emergency from a mobile 112. You can add your own counsellor or clinic.
More detail: making my space safer (text): Who could hold on to medicines or anything I could use to hurt myself for a while.
Optional: if someone at home is hurting me - safe exit, where I would go, a code word for a trusted person (text): Pre-filled: GBV Command Centre 0800 428 428, SAPS 10111. Links to the Grab Bag Checklist.

How it works

Present sections in order: 1 warning signs, 2 on my own, 3 people/places for distraction, 4 people to ask for help, 5 professionals and crisis lines (pre-filled verified numbers, not removable), 6 making my space safer, 7 reasons to live, 8 optional unsafe-at-home. Every section is optional except 5, which is always present. Save = plan card. If the member writes words indicating immediate intent in any field (clinical keyword list owned by clinical team), show_crisis_panel. Offer 'Share with my counsellor' (explicit consent only).

What you get

My safety plan, one screen, readable offline
Sections filled in

What it means

You have the core of a plan: you know your signs, who to tell and who to call.
It is fine to start with a helpline. You can add a person later.
Use the plan from the top: start with step 1 and move down until you feel safer.

Next step: Want help interpreting this? Go through your plan with a Cleared Mind counsellor, or call the Careline on 0800 212 146 (24/7).

Runs on the device. Nothing is saved unless the member chooses. Option to save under a neutral title (for example 'My notes') and to lock with the app PIN.