Narrative

As the new year of 2025 comes along, many ‘New Years resolutions’ are made, fueled by a renewed vigor and determination that comes with the turn of the calendar to make a change. For some, these resolutions truly make an impact on behavior, for others, these promises and activates fade to the back burner for the following year. Whether ones aspiration is to lose some weight or to return to an old hobby, there seems to be indicators within behavior which point to whether one is to succeed or or fail.

Taking this idea within the sphere of suicide prevention and lethal means safety, the implementation of a safety plan is often met with similar challenges in times of distress. In contrast, safety plans are a key determinate in suicide prevention and a corner stone in structured means of safety. So what are the factors which deterring the effectiveness of a safety plan? What may be some vital components of a safety plan which promote prevention?

PACT

Although there are innumerable pragmatics to a formalized safety plan which should be detailed with a mental health professional, the simple acronym of “PACT” may serve as a means of guidance, highlighting key components of what a safety plan needs to promote effective prevention.

P: Personalized

The personalized facets of a specified plan are vital to effecting real means of safety. As stated within earlier entries, no two individuals are alike and in tailoring preventative services and initiatives to the individual, one can be supported where one needs most. This component of a safety plan may involve the recognition of an individuals needs as well as contextual circumstances, all of which affect what support looks like

A: Accessible

Safety plans are more than likely implemented throughout times of crisis where there is heightened instability and distress. This makes the immediacy of implementation vital when the safety plan is needed, making accessibility a vital component of a safety plans effectiveness. This component of safety may involve keeping resources and support within reach, such as keeping gun locks on ones firearms or keeping in touch with a therapist and or loved one.

C: Coping Strategies

As discussed, the implementation of a safety plan occurs when one is presently within crisis as well as the preventative measures when one is not within crisis. Within both instances, implementing specific tools and methods of navigating distress and crisis are crucial to ensuring support. This component of safety is both personalized and closely accessible such as a known means of coping such as exercise or journaling, or a means of support such as a loved one or mental health professional.

T: Trusted Means of Support and Safety

As stated throughout other entries, building rapport with others concerning a safety plan vitally ensures accountability as well as dependability throughout crisis’s and stressors. These means of support and safety are dynamic and continually maintained, building a relational framework which can provide support in implementing the specified safety plan when one needs it most. This component of safety may look like verifying a location which provides safe storage of firearms, or continual work with a therapist or clinician.

Culmination

As it should be reiterated that a formalized safety plan should be detailed and implemented with a mental health professional, it is still crucial to understand what makes a plan effective when detailing the ways in which one finds the support needed. The personalized and accessible qualities to a plan in tandem with the specified coping strategies and means of support and safety blend to detail a plan that is dependable, continual, and relational. The most important thing to remember, however, is that there is no better time than now to make a plan to stay safe. Whether it is simply calling loved one and update them on how you are doing or purchasing a gun lock and ensuring your firearms are safely housed, all actions pointed toward suicide prevention and safety start at present.

Local Initiatives and Involvements

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention 2025 EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN MESA COUNTY Register Here!

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST): January 16-17, March 20-21, September 18-19, November 6-7 This two-day workshop(16 hours) helps participants learn how to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, providing a skilled intervention, and developing a safety plan to keep someone alive.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA): January 31, February 21, April 11, September 26, October 17, December 5 This eight (8) hour training teaches people how to recognize signs of mental health or substance use challenges in adults, how to offer and provide initial help, and how to guide a person toward appropriate care.

Youth Mental Health First Aid (Youth MHFA): March 7, April 18, August 29 This Six and half (6.5) hour training for adults who regularly interact with people ages 12-18. It introduces common mental health challenges, typical adolescent development, and plan for how to help in crisis and non-crisis situations

Soul Shop™: February 20, October 2 This 90-minute workshop equips faith community leaders and other people of faith to train their congregations to minister to those impacted by suicidal desperation.

If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, call or text 988. The National Suicide Hotline is staffed around the clock with certified members of the American Association of Suicidology. Or the Crisis Text Line, text CO to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from a secure online platform.