Find a Mental Health Professional for Crisis Support & Safety Planning

About Crisis Support & Safety Planning support

Experiencing a mental health crisis, a moment when emotional pain becomes overwhelming and the capacity to stay safe feels uncertain, is a frightening experience for the person going through it and for those who care about them. Crises can occur suddenly or build gradually, and they can happen to anyone regardless of history, resilience, or support. Reaching out in a moment of crisis is an act of courage, not weakness. Crisis support involves immediate safety assessment, developing a personalised safety plan, and ensuring appropriate follow-up care. Safety planning is a collaborative process that identifies warning signs, who to contact for support, ways to make the environment safer, and reasons for living. It is distinct from risk assessment and is designed to be a practical tool the person can use themselves. In Australia, Lifeline (13 11 14) and the Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467) provide 24/7 telephone and online crisis support. Hospital emergency departments can assess and stabilise acute mental health crises. GPs and mental health practitioners can work with individuals to develop safety plans in non-crisis settings. The Beyond Now app by Beyond Blue provides a digital tool for safety planning that can be used independently.