Safety plan/Crisis plan

Miss Laura · Jan 16, 2021, 05:01 PM

Has anyone done one of these or both?

I'm thinking I need to do one because of the bad psychosis I had just before Christmas where the team I have were thinking of hospitalization. Which although I have Bipolar 1 I have never ever been in the hospital... I know I'm lucky.

I have a template its quite hard. I'm gonna do it with my Peer Support Worker in a few weeks. Thankfully.

What are your thoughts/opinions?

Soupe du jour · Jan 16, 2021, 05:07 PM

Hi Miss Laura. I have done both. Once I attended a class offered at an organization called NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) in the US that included both. It was actually a WRAP program (Wellness Recovery Action Plan). I think such exercises are very helpful, not just for people with mental illness, but it's also good to share a copy of such completed plans with a loved one. As part of the WRAP, they even distributed blank copies of what in the US is called a "Psychiatric Advance Directive". I think the contents might vary slightly by US state. You can see one for my state of New Jersey at Psychiatric Advance Directives – MHANJ You might wish to inquire if there's something similar in your country.

Miss Laura · Jan 16, 2021, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soupe du jour

Hi Miss Laura. I have done both. Once I attended a class offered at an organization called NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) in the US that included both. It was actually a WRAP program (Wellness Recovery Action Plan). I think such exercises are very helpful, not just for people with mental illness, but it's also good to share a copy of such completed plans with a loved one. As part of the WRAP, they even distributed blank copies of what in the US is called a "Psychiatric Advance Directive". You can google that, if you like, to see what it contains. I think the contents might vary slightly by US state. You might wish to inquire if there's something similar in your country.

Hey there,

Yeah I have done WRAP but never Crisis plan as I have never gotten that ill before (Dec 2020) was really bad my psychosis was just crazy.

I had to do a safety plan kinda in Dec they wouldn't let me leave the clinic I attend for bipolar until I did. I had to say where I was going, what I was going to do, who to contact if needs be, what not to do etc etc I had to also make calls there with them listening to make sure I was gonna be "safe"

*Beth* · Jan 16, 2021, 06:00 PM

No, I have never done one. It sounds wise, though.

MickeyCheeky · Jan 16, 2021, 06:01 PM

i think having a safety plan is a good thing on principle. So i'd say it is REALLY good that you're making one and i Hope and Pray that it will prove useful to you although i of course also Hope that you will never have to use it. Nevertheless, i think it's good to have one if you feel like there's a genuine risk. Sending many safe, warm hugs to BOTH you, @Miss Laura, your Family, your Friends and ALL of your Loved Ones! Keep fighting and keep rocking NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, OK?!

~Christina · Jan 16, 2021, 06:26 PM

I have one.. Its a list of steps of things to do , who to call and then the next and next etc.. If nothing else when I am having a horrible time looking at the list I have has helped me self ground and know that I do have help at my fingertips.

I think everyone needs to have one on paper

HALLIEBETH87 · Jan 16, 2021, 09:01 PM

So coool!!!! I am a peer support specialist and certified WRAP group facilitator!

neverending · Jan 16, 2021, 10:30 PM

I am a veteran and as a VA psych patient I had to fill one out and it has to stay current. So actually I have filled out several. I don't know that I actually use it. I have a pretty good idea of when I need to be hospitalized.

I also have and advanced psych directive on file.

brackenbeard · Jan 17, 2021, 12:59 AM

It's always a great idea to have one of these.

They usually involve.

1. Who to contact in a mental health emergency. (step by step even better)
2. Times when those people are available to talk/support (for your general use)

1. Warning signs (often ones personal to you)

1. Coping skills to use (distress tolerance skills)

1. General plan following a period of rough mental health (like the xmas your describing)

FluffyDinosaur · Jan 17, 2021, 03:44 AM

They wanted me to make one of those at some point, but it doesn't do much for me. The moment I need it is the moment I'm too sick to use it or care about using it. For early warning signs I much prefer my mood charts. Crisis plans are said to work for many, so that's great, but personally I just don't find them very helpful.

MuddyBoots · Jan 17, 2021, 04:06 AM

They have me make one every time I leave the hospital or get entered into a program. A list of supports who to call, list of coping skills, what to do if I start feeling unsafe, and a list of warning signs.

Miss Laura · Jan 17, 2021, 05:26 AM

I've tried doing the copy my Peer Worker has sent me but it's a little too like blah so gonna wait until I see her on 29th. That's when we are gonna do it together. I like getting a head start though but it's fine I'll cope lol.

I've had my Peer Support Worker on and off for 5 years. She was my boss when I volunteered at the local day centre. But since covid that's been shut so she is working solely with me now I think.

*Beth* · Jan 17, 2021, 07:21 PM

I don't understand, though...once you have a safety plan written out, who do you give it to?

MuddyBoots · Jan 17, 2021, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BethRags

I don't understand, though...once you have a safety plan written out, who do you give it to?

The crisis plan I made in the hospital I discussed with a nurse the day of discharge, she signed off on it and let me keep it. In IOP I never even discussed much of it with the counselors, but they told me to tape it to my door so I'd see it frequently and could easily reference it.

*Beth* · Jan 17, 2021, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sapien

The crisis plan I made in the hospital I discussed with a nurse the day of discharge, she signed off on it and let me keep it. In IOP I never even discussed much of it with the counselors, but they told me to tape it to my door so I'd see it frequently and could easily reference it.

Ohhh...so it's a safety plan to keep for your own reference, not to tell someone else how to handle it if you need to go IP. I misunderstood.

Miss Laura · Jan 18, 2021, 02:42 AM

Safety plan here was for both I and my team. They have it on record just incase they needed it.

But a Crisis plan you both have. I have had one done already maybe about 9 years ago but back then I didn't really experience psychosis so now it's a different kettle of fish. Plus my symptoms are stronger than they have ever been. On top of that I'm limited in services I can access, who I can turn to, family and the fact I have no friends now. The joys of mental illness takes away all your friends real friends. I just have acquaintances now tbh

*Beth* · Jan 18, 2021, 06:33 AM

Thanks for explaining, Laura. I understand...I don't have any friends or family that I would trust to follow a crisis plan for me.

Mountaindewed · Jan 30, 2021, 04:08 PM

I just made one last week in therapy. I’ve looked at it a couple nights this week. Basically mine is just 3 coping skills I can use when I’m struggling, 3 outsources of support I can reach out to, and then trying to figure out where the thought is coming from and rationalize it and then replace it with a healthy thought.

Bipolarchic14 · Jan 31, 2021, 12:18 AM

My safety plan with my therapist= 1. Just don’t do it 2. If you think you may refer to step 1. Psychiatrists plan=. 1. If step 1 and 2 fail call your therapist and/or go to hospital.

HALLIEBETH87 · Jan 31, 2021, 10:15 AM

Mine is
1-talk to friend, pdoc or crisis line.
2-if nothing of my coping skills help I’m to go to hospital

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