How to Create an Emotional Safety Plan Worksheet: Step-by-Step Guide

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Emotional Safety Plan Worksheet

A Detailed Instruction on Building Your Emotional Safety Plan Worksheet: A Comprehensive Walkthrough

Introduction to Creating an Emotional Safety Plan Worksheet

Having an emotional safety plan worksheet is an essential tool to guide individuals in managing their mental health when facing crisis situations. A safety plan addresses an individual's unique needs to maintain their emotional wellbeing. This article walks you through the step-by-step guide on creating your emotional safety plan worksheet. More importantly, we provide insightful tips on how to use this tool effectively to enhance mental health.

"Strenuous circumstances need smart strategies to maintain emotional well-being. Emotional safety planning is about ensuring peace-of-mind, despite the odds."

What is an Emotional Safety Plan?

An emotional safety plan is a personalized, practical plan that includes ways to remain safe and manage symptoms that might lead to a crisis. It identifies what we need when we are not in our best mental space.

Benefits of an Emotional Safety Plan Worksheet

The worksheet helps to maintain regularity and a sense of control during tough times. They are particularly useful because they:

  1. Equip you with coping skills.
  2. Provide a list of your personal resources.
  3. Involve trusted others in your plan.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Safety Plan

Follow these steps to create a comprehensive emotional safety plan worksheet:

  1. Identify your emotional triggers: These can be situations, thoughts, or people that affect your emotional wellness.
  2. Acknowledge your warning signs: List down the physical, emotional, behavioral signs that indicate you could be moving towards a crisis.
  3. Devise coping strategies: Note down what can help you when you are feeling distressed.
  4. Involve your support network: Identify the people who you can ask for help when your distress becomes unbearable.
  5. Get professional help: Have the contact information of your healthcare professionals on hand.
  6. Make your environment safe: Find ways to ensure that your space is safe.
  7. Keep a wellness toolbox: This can include your favorite books, music, places, etc., which can help you to remain calm.

Implementing Your Emotional Safety Plan

Fill in the emotional safety plan worksheet during a calm period. Share this plan with those who form part of your support network like family, friends or healthcare professionals. Remember, the goal is to ensure you have a detailed plan in place that you can follow to maintain emotional well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How often should I update my emotional safety plan worksheet?

A: You should review and update your plan when you notice changes in triggers, warning signs or resources.

Q: Who should I share my plan with?

A: Share your plan with your trusted network which can be family, friends, mental health professionals, etc. They can help you in recognizing a crisis and implementing the plan.

"Just as you have a plan for physical emergencies, it is crucial to have one for emotional crises too."

Remember, creating an emotional safety plan worksheet is not a one-time activity but an ongoing process to deal with changing aspects of your mental health. It serves as a powerful tool in your mental wellness toolkit.



Ready to start your career as a trauma informed care practitioner? Contact us at info@aurainstitute.org or (424) 400-3048 to begin your journey as a certified trauma practitioner and make a positive impact in trauma care.

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