People across the Black Country are being urged to think about making a safety plan this January to keep themselves safe and well if they experience a mental health crisis.

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is hosting a free online Safety Plan Webinar this month to share information about safety plans and how they can help save lives.

A safety plan is made by an individual and sets out what and who might support them in a crisis, particularly if the individual is considering suicide.

It may include details about what to do in an emergency, distraction techniques if they are thinking about suicide and reminders of positive parts of life that they want to hold on to.

The event is being organised by the community development team at Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, which is the lead provider of mental health, autism and learning disability services in Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

The team carries out important work around suicide prevention across the community in the Black Country, with safety planning a key way to help people keep safe in a crisis.

David Stocks, suicide prevention worker at Black Country Healthcare Foundation Trust said: "Like breakdown cover for a car, a safety plan is breakdown cover for your brain. It is a simple tool to help you in the time of a crisis. One that can literally save your life.

"When I attempted to take my own life I didn't have a safety plan. I was lucky. If I had a safety plan I wouldn't have made that attempt. I would have the information and tools to help me through the crisis. Safety plans are for everyone, join us at the event and see how it can help you and people you care for."

Mohammed Yasin, senior community development worker at Black Country Healthcare Foundation Trust, said: “Safety planning helps you to make sense of and understand your thoughts and behaviors in relation to suicidal intent. It helps you to think about what support you have in place and what you can do that can help you if you're feeling distressed. It’s about brainstorming ways to stay safe that may help you to reduce the risk of future harm or when facing a crisis.

“A safety plan includes what and who might support you in a crisis, considering your options, and making decisions about your next steps, particularly when you are thinking about suicide.

“It may include techniques to distract you, what to do in an emergency and remind you of the positive and beautiful parts of your life, which you want to hold onto, including the people you love and people who love you.

“I believe everyone would benefit from having a safety plan.”

The webinar takes place on Zoom on Tuesday 17 January, from 10am to 11.30am.

To register your place, visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/safety-plan-webinar-tickets-402307551717