Creating a Safety Plan
Out of My Mind & Over My Head
When Mary Ellen Copeland created a safety manual she wanted to design it in a clear & easy manner to help individuals with the wellness & recovery process.
The most common response others have when we share our struggles with them is "Take it one day at a time." This response makes sense & is very valid, however, if you respond this way to someone like Jackie, that response may be offensive or even make Jackie feel worse & that is why it is best to recommend that those you care about, like Jackie, that they fill out the WRAP Crisis Plan. This plan will help guide the individual when they are in severely disabling mental distress that it affects them not only mentally but also physically.
For example, lets say that Jackie is a thirty-four year old single mother of four children & works three jobs, two during the week. One day job and one night job as well as a weekend job. Her ex-boyfriend does not help with any of the bills, and not even child support. One evening on her way to her night shift, Jackie's car breaks down; Jackie's supervisor of six years decides to break down the news to her that she has been tardy too many times and that he understands the importance of her night shift but he just had another candidate apply for her job and he can't afford to have her come in late and waste the time of the customers in the restaurant with understaffed waitresses. Jackie drives home with a half empty tank and explains to the baby-sitter that she had just lost her job and gave her the money in advance for the rest of the week. Jackie is aware that now she could also potentially lose the babysitter and that this would also create a domino affect in possibly missing utility bills, rent, car payments, insurance, childcare expenses, groceries, and her weekend morning classes.
One evening Jackie was invited to her neighbor's where the two had began drinking, Jackie could not control her drinking, her neighbor was enabling her to continue drinking. Eventually, her neighbor ended up robbing her while she was intoxicated with her head down on the table half asleep. This was the moment that Jackie had realized that she should be very careful with whom she trusts. She had then decided to connect with her relatives who had then recommended that she go to therapy. Jackie began going to therpay once a week until she was finally able to find a night shift. She was now aware of what her triggers were and knew exactly what to do when it comes to people she can count on when things fall out of place and her mind becomes overwhelmed with stress due to her responsibilities.
Here are some of the forms that you will need to fill out as part of the packet for WRAP, Crisis Prevention Planning,
When Mary Ellen Copeland created a safety manual she wanted to design it in a clear & easy manner to help individuals with the wellness & recovery process.
The most common response others have when we share our struggles with them is "Take it one day at a time." This response makes sense & is very valid, however, if you respond this way to someone like Jackie, that response may be offensive or even make Jackie feel worse & that is why it is best to recommend that those you care about, like Jackie, that they fill out the WRAP Crisis Plan. This plan will help guide the individual when they are in severely disabling mental distress that it affects them not only mentally but also physically.
For example, lets say that Jackie is a thirty-four year old single mother of four children & works three jobs, two during the week. One day job and one night job as well as a weekend job. Her ex-boyfriend does not help with any of the bills, and not even child support. One evening on her way to her night shift, Jackie's car breaks down; Jackie's supervisor of six years decides to break down the news to her that she has been tardy too many times and that he understands the importance of her night shift but he just had another candidate apply for her job and he can't afford to have her come in late and waste the time of the customers in the restaurant with understaffed waitresses. Jackie drives home with a half empty tank and explains to the baby-sitter that she had just lost her job and gave her the money in advance for the rest of the week. Jackie is aware that now she could also potentially lose the babysitter and that this would also create a domino affect in possibly missing utility bills, rent, car payments, insurance, childcare expenses, groceries, and her weekend morning classes.
One evening Jackie was invited to her neighbor's where the two had began drinking, Jackie could not control her drinking, her neighbor was enabling her to continue drinking. Eventually, her neighbor ended up robbing her while she was intoxicated with her head down on the table half asleep. This was the moment that Jackie had realized that she should be very careful with whom she trusts. She had then decided to connect with her relatives who had then recommended that she go to therapy. Jackie began going to therpay once a week until she was finally able to find a night shift. She was now aware of what her triggers were and knew exactly what to do when it comes to people she can count on when things fall out of place and her mind becomes overwhelmed with stress due to her responsibilities.
Here are some of the forms that you will need to fill out as part of the packet for WRAP, Crisis Prevention Planning,
Creating a Safety Plan is very important when you're trying to make simple decisions or serious decisions. Some signs to be mindful of when you are not feeling well are, feeling light headed or dizziness when trying to focus on a task. Severe anxiety and alertness, as well as any other trigger, whether it is a single response such as anxiety or a cluster of emotions & physical alertness.
Find someone that you trust & have that individual assist you in maintaining proper daily tasks such as making sure that lunch is prepared on time, making a phone call for you to call in sick, driving you to the physician, psychiatrist or therapist as well as any other tasks that you may need help with.
It is completely natural to feel overwhelmed, the mind can get just as sick as the body can. When your body gets the flu, you take a flu shot for it or other medications to help you heal. The same applies to psychological distress. Sometimes medication or alterations in your habits or schedule may help reduce the levels of stress in your life so that you may maintain control over yourself.
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