Lived Experience Forum

[Former-Member]

BeyondNow – Your suicide safety planning app

What is safety planning?
If you or someone close to you is experiencing suicidal thoughts or feelings, safety planning can help you get through the tough moments.

It involves creating a structured plan – ideally with support from your health professional or someone you trust – that you work through when you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts, feelings, distress or crisis.

Your safety plan starts with things you can do by yourself, such as thinking about your reasons to live and distracting yourself with enjoyable activities. It then moves on to coping strategies and people you can contact for support – your friends, family and health professionals.

While everyone’s plan will be unique to them, the process and structure are the same – it prompts you to work through
the steps until you feel safe.

What is BeyondNow?
Convenient and confidential, the BeyondNow app puts your safety plan in your pocket so you can access and edit it at any time. You can also email a copy to trusted friends, family or your health professional so they can support you when you're experiencing suicidal thoughts or heading towards a suicidal crisis.

BeyondNow is free to download from the Apple Store or Google Play. If you don’t have a smartphone or would prefer to e your desktop or laptop, BeyondNow is also available to use online.
BeyondNow is designed to be used as part of your overall mental wellbeing and safety strategy. It is not intended to be your only form of support. Ideally you should work with a health professional or support person to create your plan.

[NikNik]

Thanks for sharing @Former-Member
I highly recommend BeyondNow

[Former-Member]

I just installed the App and customised my own Suicide Safety Plan (so much easier in the phone than a bit of paper, and I can edit any time). I just googled 'beyond now and it took me to the beyond blue website with all the links to install (free). Then open the app and follow the prompts. It only took me 5-10 min. I was thinking of my friends here who might benefit from the app @Former-Member, @Appleblossom, @sadgirl, @Former-Member and just about everybody, to tell.
FYI this is a cut & paste of my plan:


MY SUICIDE SAFETY PLAN:

*WARNING SIGNS
Warning signs are changes in thoughts, moods or behaviours that suggest you may be heading towards a suicidal crisis. Knowing your warning signs can help you take action early.
MY WARNING SIGNS
- Phasing, Dissociating, Numb, Floating
- Teary often for no reason
- Bad thoughts
- Struggling to keep up with routine and self care etc
- Withdrawing
- Self medicating

*MY REASONS TO LIVE
When you are feeling suicidal, it is easy to get caught up in the pain you are feeling and forget the positives in your life. Thinking about your reasons to live may help you to change your focus until the suicidal thoughts pass.
MY REASONS TO LIVE
- Experiences I haven’t had yet
- My pet
- My faith or spirituality
- Helping others

*MAKING MY ENVIRONMENT SAFE
Having a safe space is important if you are having thoughts of suicide. This includes making the environment around you safer, or taking yourself out of unsafe situations.
MY STRATEGIES FOR MAKING MY ENVIRONMENT SAFE
-Give my medication to someone else to look after
- Lock up or get rid of anything that could be used to harm myself
- DON'T drink alcohol
- Avoid people who upset me
- Dont drive when I am having suicidal thoughts or urges

*THINGS I CAN DO BY MYSELF
Suicidal thoughts can make it hard to focus on anything else. Activities that distract you from them are an important strategy to keep you safe.
Work through the activities that you identified below. If an activity isn’t helping you, try another one.
MY ACTIVITIES
- Adult Colouring In Book
- Hand sewing, mending, crocheting...
- Go for a walk outside
- Do some gardening
- Write a letter
- Journal
- Take a long shower
- Practice relaxation techniques like breathing exercises, mindfulness and meditation
- Take some time out to treat myself to a small thing I usually enjoy

*CONNECT WITH PEOPLE AND PLACES
It can be hard to socialise when you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, but just being around other people can improve your mood. Arrange to do something with the people you have identified in your plan or go to a social place.
MY PEOPLE TO CONNECT WITH & SOCIAL PLACES
- Saneforums (post, ring, email)
- Visit caféz have cuppa
- Go to the library
- Visit / Ring a friend

*FRIENDS, FAMILY, OTHERS I CAN TALK TO
Trusted friends and family members can help you stay safe and feel better by providing practical support, or just being there to listen. Contact your support people and talk to them about what you are experiencing or struggling with.
MY SUPPORT PEOPLE
- SANEforums online
- Suicide Call Back Service
1300 659467
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- beyondblue Support Service
1300 22 46 36
- Mental Health Acute Care Team

*PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT
Professional support is always available when things become too much. Contact one of the services listed below to speak confidentially with a trained counsellor. If one service doesn’t work for you, try another. In an emergency, always call triple zero (000).
- My GP
- My psychologist
- My local hospital mental health unit
- 000
Emergency Services
- 13 11 14
Lifeline
- 1300 659467
Suicide Call Back Service

FiN
___

BeyondNow App Link:

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/beyondnow-suicide-safety-planning

[Former-Member]

Thank you @Former-Member are you ok?
I am struggling with this stuff at the moment. I have this app already. I hope it's help ful for you ,
Hugs
Lj

[Former-Member]

Well done @Former-Member. I am starting to work on mine too. Im finding it difficult though. It is so hard to have one that relies so much on being strong internally at that point in time. It's a great thread 💜🤗

[Former-Member]

Yes @Former-Member that is how I find it too.

[Former-Member]

Perhaps once its done, read through it regularly so when ya stressed out its almost automatic. I used their suggestionsostly. I'm guessing we can change it anytime.

I'm OK thanks for asking but have had some intense waves of suicidal thoughts pushing me. I've been cocooning myself as this is the worst time of year for me, very numb, cocooning is working but i have a busy week coming up so trying to be prepared.

Using this as a guide would have been useful when I was discharged from hospital MH.

[Former-Member]

@Bridgetjones, just calling you over to this thread, thought the suicide safety plan APP might be good for you to do if you haven't already. Hope you staying afloat? So sorry to hear of your recent loss. There's a 'grief and loss' thread too. Take care. xox

[Former-Member]

How'd ya go @Former-Member, @Former-Member, ?
Don't know about everyone but I get so disorganised here at home and when I'm distressed can't find things sometimes. Think the app is good in that its all listed for us, the steps. And each time I rise a little stronger if I don't give in. I like that it highlights warning signs so we can n#p it in the bud.

I'm trying to clean up, in casey son visits, so lythargic lately, but dark thoughts less thank goodness, and its cooler after soft rain all night.

Hugs to you guys 🙂

[Former-Member]

Hi @Former-Member. I haven't really got far yet but I did talk about it a bit with my phams support worker. I think it's easier for me to know what doesn't work than what does 😬😳