In her monthly column, Dr Jan Orman from the Black Dog Institute is providing reliable evidence-based Australian online resources for mental healthcare. In this month’s column Dr Orman looks at Beyond Now Suicide Safety Planning App.
Most of us have become familiar with the concept of suicide safety planning. It is an evidence-based strategy to help people move through periods of suicidal thinking and fight suicidal impulses.
Safety planning is designed to be done collaboratively with a health practitioner but there are downsides to doing a plan on a piece of paper. Paper plans can get lost and tattered and are not protected from prying eyes.
beyondblue has sponsored the development of the Beyond Now App which provides a smart phone-based template for safety planning. It guides people step-by-step through the safety planning process, making helpful suggestions along the way. The plan made on the app can also be edited and shared.
Putting together a safety plan with someone is both a learning exercise for you and a therapeutic intervention.