“If you have thoughts of hurting yourself, start at step 1. Go through each step until you are safe. Put this safety plan in a safe plan where you can easily use it, such as your purse, wallet, or by the phone.”

1. Do the following activities to calm/comfort myself:

2. Remind myself of my reasons for living:

3. Call a friend or family member: (name and number):

4. Call a back-up person if person above is not available: (name and number)

5. Call a care provider: (Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Therapist – name and number)

6. Call my local crisis line: 9-8-8 (Canada)

7. Go somewhere I am safe:

8. Go to the Emergency Room at the nearest hospital

   • If I feel that I cannot get to the hospital safety, call 911 and request transportation to the hospital. They will send someone to transport me safely

Toronto Area Suicide Resources:

Review these with the patient and include them as appropriate in the safety plan. Always make sure that the patient thinks they would actually use the resource before including it (eg. “would you actually call a distress line, or is it more likely that you will need to talk to someone in person?”)

Toronto Suicide Resources

Suicide Contracts or no Harm Contract

Suicide/no harm contracts are commonly used although no studies are available that determine their efficacy in reducing suicide. These are often used in the context of crisis planning when patients are discharged and do not have the same level of monitoring and support as they would in a healthcare setting.