Sharing – A suicide safety plan saved my life. Here’s what it looks like, and why it worked
I’m glad that Kimberly is willing to share her own story, because having a safety plan can make all the difference in the world. As described in the article below:
“A suicide safety plan (also known as a crisis intervention plan) is created by an individual, usually with the help of a mental health professional, that outlines what steps they can and should take when they are in a state of crisis. “This guide outlines specific coping mechanisms a client can use to reduce the likelihood of engaging in harmful behavior,” says Abby Brown, a Chicago-based psychologist. “It also includes a list of red flags one should be on the lookout for, as these markers and signs may lead a client to experience suicidal thoughts and/or engage in other high risk behaviors.””
So, maybe before you or someone you love, gets into a crisis situation, it would be a good idea to work on this kind of plan with a professional, so that when you really need it, it’s there. Of course, as Kimberly points out, that means we should be able to talk about our struggles and our own risks when it comes to suicidal thoughts in the first place without the fear of being stigmatized.
That’s something we all need to work on.
