Assisting to Develop a Safety Plan to Stay Alive

Create a Safety Plan

  • Agree together that they will not kill themselves now.
  • Form an agreement to stay alive and create a safe plan.
  • Encourage activities that interest them or hold meaning for them.
  • Make contact with other agencies if needed.

Review & Follow Up

Check in after a few days (or sooner, depending on the situation) to ensure agreed actions are happening. If tasks remain incomplete, explore why and encourage progress. Depression often makes it hard to act, so provide encouragement and support.

Buddy Support Network

Involve family and friends in creating a circle of support. This group proactively helps keep the person connected to life and engaged in events.

Three main roles in the network:

  • The Helper: may be one or several people providing support.
  • The Helpee: the person receiving support.
  • Supervisor: someone overseeing the process and ensuring care continues.

The Buddy Support Network may also assist with practical tasks (budgeting, appointments) and provide ongoing encouragement.

Assess if They Are Still at Risk

If suicidal thoughts remain strong, contact professional services immediately:

  • Police if there is immediate danger.
  • CAT Team: 0800-505050 for crisis assessment.

Listening Skills

Listening is the foundation of suicide first aid. Skills include:

  • Introduction: Be friendly, positive, and calming.
  • Open & Closed Questions: Encourage deeper sharing with open-ended questions.
  • Minimal Encouragers: Use nods, smiles, or words like “tell me more.”
  • Paraphrasing: Check you understood what they said.
  • Identifying Feelings: Talk about emotions and give them names.
  • Perception Check: Ensure they feel understood and safe.
  • Reflecting Feelings: Confirm what you hear in their tone or words.
  • Confrontation: Challenge contradictions with care, not attack.
  • Summarising: Recap decisions and actions without adding new content.

Suicide First Aid Steps

  • Connect: Introduce yourself, show care, and find common ground.
  • Understand: Use listening skills to explore reasons for wanting to die.
  • Affirm Reasons for Living: Remind them of family, friends, and positive reasons to stay alive.

Contact & Support

The New Zealand Suicide Prevention Trust is a charitable trust providing 24/7 counselling.

  • Phone: 07-8592939
  • Mail:60 Silverdale Rd, Unit 18, Hamilton, New Zealand
  • Email: nzspt@clear.net.nz
  • Toll Free Counselling Line: 0508-435728