A safety plan is a brief, evidence-based intervention designed to lower risk of suicide in individuals who may become suicidal when feeling distressed or who are experiencing acute suicidal ideation. Developed by Gregory Brown and Barbara Stanley, the safety plan is an integral part of an evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy approach to treating suicidal patients. This entry discusses what a safety plan is, how it is developed, its benefits, and the six steps of a safety plan.

Defining and Developing a Safety Plan

The typical safety plan is a one-page document listing steps in a specific order that the individual can follow to regulate his or her emotions during or leading up to a suicidal crisis. The safety plan is written collaboratively between the individual and the ...

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