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Safety planning: an educational overview

An educational overview of the Safety Planning Intervention, a brief, evidence-informed approach developed by Stanley and Brown. For trained clinicians and education; not clinical advice, and not a substitute for assessment, training, or supervision.

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Educational example only. This is not legal, medical, or compliance advice, and it is not a ready-to-use legal document. Requirements vary by state, payer, and setting. Adapt anything like this to your own situation and have it reviewed by qualified legal and compliance counsel licensed in your jurisdiction before using it in a practice. You are responsible for compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, including HIPAA. shrinkiatry publishes professional commentary and education, not legal or medical advice.

Extra caution: This is an educational overview, not training in the intervention and not clinical advice. Safety planning does not replace a clinical risk assessment. Seek qualified training and follow your institution's protocols.

Current as of July 7, 2026. Laws, payer rules, and billing codes change, so confirm the current requirements for your jurisdiction and setting before you rely on it.

What's inside

What it is

A safety plan is a brief, collaboratively written list a person can use when suicidal thoughts intensify. The Stanley-Brown Safety Planning Intervention is widely taught, and a study by Stanley and colleagues reported fewer suicidal behaviors among emergency-department patients who received it with follow-up.

The common steps

  • Recognizing personal warning signs
  • Internal coping strategies the person can use alone
  • Social settings and people that provide distraction
  • People the person can ask for help
  • Professionals and agencies to contact in a crisis, including 988
  • Making the environment safer, including reducing access to means

How it is used

The plan is written with the person, in their words, kept somewhere accessible, and revisited. It complements, and does not replace, a full risk assessment and appropriate level of care.

Note

Crisis line: call or text 988 in the US. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. Clinicians should complete appropriate training in the intervention.

About this resource

This reference is part of the shrinkiatry resource library, a set of free, clinician-facing references and examples. It's reviewed by Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, FAPA, a board-certified psychiatrist, on a quarterly schedule. Next scheduled review: October 1, 2026. First published July 7, 2026, last reviewed July 7, 2026.

Browse the rest of the resource library, or verify who reviews this site. Spotted something out of date? Email corrections@shrinkiatry.com.

Educational and professional commentary only. shrinkiatry explains the profession of psychiatry. It doesn't provide medical advice, isn't a substitute for evaluation or treatment by a licensed clinician, and reading it doesn't create a doctor-patient relationship.