Safety Planning
Quick Summary
- Safety planning helps navigate potentially harmful situations and promotes overall well-being.
- It empowers you to identify triggers, warning signs, and coping strategies, giving you a sense of control.
- Preparedness can reduce crisis anxiety by providing clear steps for emergency situations.
- It involves identifying supports such as trusted people, hotlines, and professional resources.
Safety planning is a tool designed to help you navigate potentially harmful situations and promote overall well-being. It allows you to take control by identifying specific triggers, warning signs, coping strategies, and available supports.
Empowerment and Control:
Safety planning empowers you to take control of your situation. By identifying specific triggers, warning signs, coping strategies, and supports available, you can feel more in charge of your responses to difficult situations. This sense of agency can be incredibly uplifting, allowing you to make informed decisions about your safety and well-being.
Preparedness:
Life is full of uncertainties, and being prepared can lessen the effects of a crisis. A safety plan equips you with steps to take in various scenarios, whether it’s knowing whom to call for help, where to go in an emergency, or how to remove yourself from a dangerous situation. This preparedness can reduce anxiety and fear.
Resource Identification:
Creating a safety plan encourages you to identify and access critical supports that promote wellness, such as trusted support people, crisis hotlines, professional supports, and digital resources. By mapping out these resources, you ensure that you have a support system in place when you need it most.
Enhanced Communication:
A safety plan often involves discussing your situation with trusted friends, family members, or your ConnectWell clinician. This communication can foster a deeper understanding of your needs and create a support network that is aware of your safety concerns, enhancing your overall safety.
Customised Solutions:
Every person’s situation is unique. A personalised safety plan considers your specific circumstances, strengths, and challenges, allowing you to develop tailored strategies that work for you. This customisation can lead to more effective responses during a crisis.
Building Confidence:
Having a safety plan can build your confidence in handling difficult situations. Knowing you have a strategy in place can reduce feelings of helplessness and increase your resilience, making it easier to face challenges head-on.
Conclusion
Safety planning is not just about reacting to a crisis; it’s about proactively creating a safer environment for yourself. By understanding the benefits and taking the time to develop a safety plan, you can enhance your sense of security and well-being.
Reach out to your ConnectWell clinician if you require support to start building your safety plan today.