Who should have a mental health crisis plan?

Most people don’t know what a mental health crisis plan is until they’re in crisis. By then, it’s too late.

A crisis plan is simple: it’s a short document that outlines what helps you when things feel unmanageable. It can help keep you safe by reminding you of steps to take to protect yourself. Just like your building has a fire escape plan, it makes sense for all of us to have a plan for a mental health emergency or challenge.

So who needs a crisis plan?

1. People who have struggled before

If you’ve ever had a panic attack, a depressive episode, or an experience of self-harm, you already know how quickly things can spiral. A crisis plan doesn’t fix it. But it can buy you time, clarity, and safety.

2. People who support others

If you’re a teacher, therapist, friend, or carer, having a plan for someone else can help you support them as best you can, when you need to.

3. People who don’t want to rely on memory

In crisis, your brain doesn’t work the way it normally does. Decision-making collapses. A written plan means you don’t have to think clearly: you just follow the steps.

4. People who want to take mental health seriously

Most of us don’t give much thought to what we'd do if our mind breaks under pressure. Crisis plans are one way to shift that culture, taking mental health and emotional resilience as seriously as we do our physical health.

How to create a crisis plan

At Tough Minds, we’ve built a free, no-login tool called Crisis Plan. It guides you through the process step by step. Whether you’re filling it in alone or alongside a professional, it’s designed to help you stay safe in the most difficult moments.

It takes less than ten minutes, and you can download it, print it or even copy it into your notes app.

Create your plan