MY SAFETY PLAN
#BestLife for every child and youth
August 2019 | Form P5681E | www.cheo.on.ca
This reference is for educational purposes only.
If you have any questions, ask your health-care provider.
A safety plan can help keep you safe, if you are feeling overwhelmed and having thoughts of ending your
life. Making a plan like this will help you to understand yourself better, keeping you safer. It’s important
to share this plan with your parents or guardians and people close to you, so they can support you. If
your needs or triggers change, revise your safety plan with your counsellor or therapist. If you don’t have
one, call your local Youth Crisis Line for help.
If you’re still having trouble keeping yourself safe, you can always come back. Some youth like to get
creative with their safety plans. Use art, music, scrapbooking or writing-whatever helps you to express
yourself!
My triggers
What are some things that set me off? How can I manage my triggers?
My warning signs
What are my warning signs that tell me I’m starting to get overwhelmed? (for example, withdrawing
from others or sleeping more)
Thoughts
(example: thinking
negative dark thoughts,
or about ways to harm
yourself)
Emotions
(example: starting to feel
hopeless guilty or angry)
Body sensations
(example: a racing heart,
feeling I'm suffocating)
Behaviours
(example: pacing,
spending lots of time
sleeping)
If parents and caregivers notice any of my warning signs, they can help by:
MY SAFETY PLAN
#BestLife for every child and youth
May 2019 | Form P5681E | www.cheo.on.ca
This reference is for educational purposes only.
If you have any questions, ask your health-care provider.
My coping strategies
What are some helpful things that will take my mind off the problem? (eg. going for a walk, calling a close
friend to just vent, watching a movie, sleeping)
Reasons for living
Who are the people or animals I live for? (eg. mother, father, brother, sister, friends, relatives or pets)
What are other things I have to live for? (eg. remembering that things will get better one day, future
goals like school, career, travel or family goals)
Sometimes, when people are feeling sad, they have a hard time seeing the reasons for living. If this is the
case for you right now, what are some reasons that others might point out for you?
My support network
Who are main people that I can turn to for support if I am overwhelmed? (people to whom I can say,
“Hey, I’m not feeling good right now, I really need someone to talk to. I don’t need advice, I just need you
to listen. Can we talk?”)
Someone to spend time with to take my mind off things:
Someone who can help with practical things (ex. taking me to appointments):
Someone who is a good listener:
Crisis plan and resources
If no one is available, what are the local telephone crisis lines in my area? Check the ones you like best.
Child, Youth and Family Crisis Line for Eastern Ontario 613-260-2360 or toll-free, 1-877-377-7775
Kids help phone: 1.800.668.6868 Live chat also available at www.kidshelpphone.ca
Good2Talk: 1-866-925-5454 (for college and university students in Ontario).
Ottawa and Region Distress Centre: 613-238-3311
Youth Service Bureau 24/7 Crisis line: 613-260-2360