2. Methodology

Study Design
Mixed-methods study using user surveys, anonymized behavioral data, and qualitative interviews with individuals who created digital or hybrid safety plans.

Data Collection

• Timeframe: August 10, 2024 – March 20, 2025

• Participants: 1,110 individuals

• Methods:

  • Digital post-use survey embedded in safety plan tool

  • Outreach to long-term PS users for reflection on plan usage

  • 28 semi-structured interviews with individuals who used the plan in crisis

Data Points Tracked:

• Frequency of use

• Completion of safety plan sections

• Perceived usefulness during emotional distress

• Reported impact on suicidal ideation and crisis management

• Follow-up actions taken (e.g., reached out to support, sought therapy)

3. Participant Overview (Anticipated Data)

| Gender Identity | | | Women | 54% | | Men | 32% | | Nonbinary/Other | 13% | | Prefer not to say | 1% |

4. Key Findings

1. Digital Plans Are Used More Often Than Paper Ones (68%)

“I always have my phone. I never had the paper version when I needed it.”

Participants overwhelmingly found digital tools more accessible, more private, and easier to update — leading to more frequent and practical use.

2. Having a Plan Reduces Panic During Crisis (57%)

“I went straight to my reasons to live list. That stopped the spiral.”

More than half said the presence of a safety plan helped interrupt suicidal ideation or emotional spirals in real time.

3. Top Sections Accessed During Crisis:

• “My Reasons to Stay” (82% opened during crisis)

• “Things I Can Do” (71%)

• “People I Can Reach Out To” (54%)

• “Warning Signs” (22% — mostly used for reflection, not during panic)

4. Plans Were Shared with Others 41% of the Time

“I sent my plan to my best friend. It helped her know how to support me.”

Nearly half of users shared their plan with someone they trust, turning it into a bridge rather than just a solo tool.

5. Safety Plans Encouraged Future Help-Seeking (44%)

“Filling it out made me realize I needed more support — and that I could ask for it.”

Creating a safety plan was described by many as a wake-up call — a moment of reflection that inspired people to contact a therapist, peer supporter, or friend.

5. Quotes from Participants

“I didn’t need to remember what to do — I just needed to remember I made a plan.”
— 20-year-old female, Texas

“It wasn’t a magic fix. But in that moment, it kept me from giving up.”
— 29-year-old male, Colorado

“Just seeing the ‘You Matter’ message at the top of the app slowed me down enough to breathe.”
— 17-year-old participant, New Zealand

“I wrote it when I was okay. That version of me saved the version that wasn’t.”
— 33-year-old nonbinary participant, Michigan

6. Implications and Next Steps

Digital safety plans aren’t a replacement for care — they’re a foundation for it. They offer structure when the mind begins to unravel, and they empower individuals to prepare for pain without shame.

Recommendations:

• Promote safety plan use across PS programs, especially during peer support and storytelling engagement

• Incorporate guided walkthroughs and reflection prompts within the tool to make plans more personal and effective

• Encourage sharing of plans with trusted contacts (built-in “share with a supporter” feature)

• Build customizable elements for different age groups, cultural needs, or identities

• Partner with schools, youth groups, and digital therapists to get plans in more hands

7. Acknowledgments

To everyone who sat down and made a plan: thank you. Your courage in preparing for the hardest moments has the power to save lives — including your own.

8. Contact

Want to implement a digital safety planning tool in your practice, school, or support group?
📧 research@projectsemicolon.com