If you need help NOW, please call a local crisis line or 911, or go to The Samaritans website (http://www.samaritans.org/), which provides confidential emotional support for people in crisis.

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GP Safety Policy (Not Spoiled)

Wondering what to do when you need help? One of our bigs, Charity, suggested this....Some time when we're feeling okay, we can make a plan for taking care of ouselves. Here's what we came up with:

Our Safety Plan

1. If you have a cell phone, make sure it is always charged. If you don't have a cell phone, always make sure you have enough money for a local phone call when you leave the house.
   
   
2. Do you have permission to call or email your T (therapist) when you're having a hard time between appointments? Ask him or her if that's okay. If the answer is yes, then call. Remember: YOU ARE IMPORTANT.
   
   
3. Keep your T's phone number (area code first) in a place that's easy to find. Sometimes when we're under stress and having big feelings, it's hard to remember the right number.
   
   
4. On the same piece of paper, make a list of:
   
   
   • Your body name, address, and phone number (with area code first). Also the body's birthday, including month, day, and year.
     
     
   • The bigs' SO (Significant Other), if there is one, and all of his or her phone numbers (work, cell phone, BlackBerry, beeper/pager), with area code first.
     
     
   • The names and phone numbers (with area code first) of three or four other safe bigs you can trust. If one of them doesn't answer when you call, call another one.
     
     
   • The name and phone number of a crisis hotline in your local area to use if you can't reach your T or any of the other people on your list. If you need to use this number, use it.
     
     
   • Speak with your T ahead of time about a backup plan for when he or she is out of town. Ask if a backup T will be available at those times. If so, put the name and phone number (area code first) of the backup T on your list as well.
   
   
5. Make a second list. This one is a list of all the safe things that help you feel good, and things that you do to help relax. The items on this list should be things you can do without needing a lot of money or time to get started. Keep this list with the first list.
   
   
6. Keep busy. It's easy to feel down when we don't have anything to do. Find a part-time job or safe hobby. Or do something to help someone in your community. We liked to help Charity when she worked with little kids at our ch*rch. It was fun to see them smile, and it made us feel pretty good too.
   
   
7. Keep a diary, journal, or sketchbook. It's a way to get your feelings out of you and onto the pages. If you don't want to write, you can draw your feelings. Later, if you want, you can look back and see how things have changed since then.
   
   
8. If you write about or draw your feelings, you can also tear up the paper when you're done, or you can show it to your T or other safe outside person.
   
   
9. Another good way to let out big feelings, especially angry feelings, is to use clay or Play-Doh. Or step on some bubble wrap (this is one of our favorites).

What do I do if I can't find my bigs?

Those are just a few ideas. You may have some other great ideas of your own. If you'd like to share them with us, send us an email and we'll consider posting them here.

Stay safe,

The Family of MakersDozn

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