More about Beyond Now and safety planning

What is safety planning?

Having thoughts of suicide can feel overwhelming. You may find it really hard to know what to do, or be in so much emotional pain you don't think you can cope.

At times like these, hurting yourself or ending your life might feel like the only answer. 

A safety plan can be helpful during these times. Research has shown having a safety plan can be useful for reducing the intensity of suicidal thoughts and increasing people’s ability to cope with them.

Everyone's plan is personal and different, to make sure you get the help that's right for you. 

More information about safety planning:

Information for health professionals about Beyond Now
Information for family and friends about Beyond Now
Talk to others about safety planning on our Forums

When's the best time to create a safety plan?

You can start creating your safety plan any time.

When you’re ready:

choose a time when you’re feeling calm and relaxed
find a place where you won't be interrupted
consider getting help from a trusted friend, family member, Elder or mental health professional to develop strategies that might work for you.

Your plan will have 7 steps. It should include what will work for you - things you’ve found helpful, as well as what to avoid.

If you get stuck, the app can give you some ideas other people have found useful.

The 7 steps in a suicide safety plan

1. My warning signs

Warning signs are changes that let you know to start your safety plan. Knowing your personal warning signs can help you act early.

You might notice changes in your thoughts, or feelings, some physical symptoms, or it might be a life situation or event.

2. Make my space safe

When you notice your warning signs, you need to make your space as safe as you can. Get rid of things that could be used to end your life.

It can be helpful at this step to involve a loved one or trusted friend. For example, give medication or car keys to someone else to look after.

3. Reasons for living

When you're feeling suicidal, it's easy to forget about the good things in life. Thinking about these things can help you manage until the feelings pass.

Write down things that make you want to live. They can be big or small, and you can also include photos and videos.

4. Things I can do by myself

Doing things to distract yourself from suicidal thoughts can help keep you safe and build your confidence and coping skills. Here you can list some of the things you like doing by yourself.

5. People and places I can connect with

Connecting with people and places is important and can make you feel better. Make a list of people you could spend time with or call.

You could also include online spaces you can visit to be around other people.

6. People I can talk or yarn to

If you’re still struggling with your thoughts, it’s time to reach out to people you trust who can help you stay safe and feel better.

List people you can talk or yarn to about your suicidal thoughts and feelings.

If you’re not sure how to start the conversation, visit Talking to someone about your suicidal feelings.

7. Professional support

If you’ve worked through all your steps and still feel overwhelmed, then it’s time to seek professional support.

List the supports and services that work for you.

If you don’t have professional support you can list on your plan, we can help you find someone:

Sharing your plan

Some people find it useful to send their plan to trusted friends or family, their GP, or a mental health professional.

You don't have to share your plan if you don't want to.

How to share your plan

Once you’ve completed your plan, you can share it via email or text message.

In the app, tap the ‘Share’ button on the final page of the edit menu or the ‘Share my plan’ button on the Beyond Now home screen.

About the app

Development

Beyond Now was developed in 2016 by Beyond Blue and Monash University in collaboration with people who have experience with suicidal thoughts or a suicidal crisis.

Acknowledgements

Beyond Now was developed in 2016 by Beyond Blue and Monash University in collaboration with people who have experience with suicidal thoughts or a suicidal crisis.

In March 2024, Beyond Blue transferred ownership of Beyond Now to Lifeline Australia as part of a partnership that aims to provide more clarity for people who are in a crisis and seeking support.

Beyond Blue and Lifeline Australia acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Land on which our organisations stand. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and as our organisations have national reach, we extend our respect to all Elders and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Australia.

We are grateful for the generous input of a number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members and representatives from Health Services and organisation which helped shape the design and content of Beyond Now.

Evaluations

2021 evaluation of Beyond Now

The second evaluation of the Beyond Now app, completed in 2021, was commissioned by Beyond Blue from a team led by Deakin University's School of Psychology.
It aimed to determine the extent to which Beyond Now is culturally appropriate for First Nations Peoples and LGBTIQA+ peoples and to determine any cultural barriers or enablers which influence use.

A total of 668 app users completed an online survey, and a further 28 participants were interviewed or took part in focus groups.
Participants reported high levels of engagement and satisfaction in Beyond Now and perceived it to be inclusive and neutral in its handling of gender and sexuality, and culturally appropriate and inclusive. Areas for improvement to allow increased engagement and dissemination, and reduction of barriers were identified.

Download the full report: 2021 Beyond Now Evaluation Report

2017 evaluation of Beyond Now

This first evaluation of the Beyond Now app, completed in 2017, was commissioned by Beyond Blue from a team at Monash University's Centre for Developmental Psychiatry and Psychology.
It aimed to describe the demographics of app users and perceptions of app utility.

A total of 1,672 app users completed an online survey, including 39 users who downloaded the app on behalf of someone else and 75 health professionals who downloaded the app to use with clients.
High usefulness and ease-of-use ratings were reported by all app users.

Download the full report: 2017 Beyond Now Evaluation Report

Read the journal article at the National Library of Medicine:  Evaluating the Feasibility and Effectiveness of an Australian Safety Planning Smartphone Application: A Pilot Study Within a Tertiary Mental Health Service