Virtual Hope Box
The original non-app version of the Hope Box was developed as a tool to help therapists in clinical practice work with their suicidal clients find reasons for living. Clients would find something like a shoe box and fill it with future goals, pictures of loved ones, bucket list experiences, and the like. When they felt their suicidal intensity increase, they would bring out the box to remind themselves of these things.The Virtual Hope Box (VHB) does this and more. Still designed as something to augment treatment, the VHB helps people live through painful emotional experiences through distraction, inspiration, relaxation, coping, support and reasons for living.
notOK
notOK is a free app developed by a struggling teenager (and her teen brother) for teenagers. The app features a large, red button that can be activated to let close friends, family and their support network know help is needed. Users can add up to five trusted contacts as part of their support group so when they hit the digital panic button, a message along with their current GPS location is sent to their contacts. The message reads: “Hey, I’m not OK! Please call, text, or come find me.” (Free; iOS and Android)
SAMHSA – Suicide Safe
Suicide Safe is a suicide prevention learning tool for primary care and behavioral health providers and is based on the nationally recognized Suicide Assessment Five-step Evaluation and Triage (SAFE-T) practice guidelines. Suicide Safe helps providers feel confident to assist patients who present with suicidal ideation. The app offers tips on how to communicate effectively with patients and their families, determine appropriate next steps, and make referrals to treatment and community resources.
Suicide Safety Plan App (android)
Suicidal thoughts can seem like they will last forever – but these thoughts and feelings pass with time. Having a plan in place that can help guide you through difficult moments can help you cope and keep you safe. This safety plan is designed so that you can start at the beginning and continue through the steps until you feel safe.
In this safety plan app, you can customize your own warning signs that a crisis may be developing, coping strategies for dealing with suicidal urges, places for distraction, friends and family members you can reach out to, professionals you can call, methods of making your environment safe, and your own important reasons for living.
If following your safety plan is not enough to stem a suicidal crisis, then this app also contains an easy-to-access list of emergency resources so that help is just a tap away. (Android)
Stanley Brown Safety Plan (Apple)
WHAT IS A SAFETY PLAN?
A safety plan is a list of coping strategies and social supports that people can use when they are in a suicidal crisis or very distressed. It helps them not act on their suicidal feelings. The plan is brief, is in the individuals’ own words, and is easy to read. It is an emergency plan for suicide crises.
WHO SHOULD HAVE A SAFETY PLAN?
Anyone who gets suicidal and wants help feeling better and less suicidal. Clinicians can collaborate with individuals to develop the safety plan. Individuals can also develop plans on their own.
