Make a crisis plan together

Fill this in with the person you are supporting during a steadier period, then print it and keep it somewhere you can both find.

It can be hard to think clearly during a crisis. This plan records early warning signs, what helps and who to call. Write it with the person so they know what is written and it reflects their preferences.

Download or print a copy before you leave. Your entries survive a refresh, but closing this tab can clear them. Nothing you type leaves your device. Use Clear this plan when you have finished, especially on a shared device.

Notice the signs

This plan is for

The early warning signs

What tends to change first for this person? Include sleep if that has been an early sign before.

When to contact professional help

Agree which changes mean contacting a service, who to call and what to do if there is no answer. Include their clinician where possible. The plan cannot cover every situation; seek help for new concerns too.

Agree what helps

What helps when things are getting hard

Note the people, places and routines that have helped before, as well as anything to avoid.

What I'd like you to do if you spot the signs

Ask how they would like you to tell them if you are worried, what help they want from you and what they would prefer you not to do. Their wishes about your involvement may change.

Record care preferences

These fields are optional. Record only what the person wants included and check formal documents with the relevant professional.

Current medication

Allergies or important reactions

Preferred hospital or service

Other contact and their role, if known

A chosen contact does not automatically have a legal role. In England and Wales, the nearest-relative role is distinct from next of kin. Ask the relevant professional to confirm any legal role.

Advance statement or advance decision

Add contacts

Who to call

Agree which contact to try first and what to do if they are unavailable. If the person prefers to plan with their clinician alone, ask whether they would still be comfortable sharing a contact for concerns.

GP surgery

Care coordinator / crisis team

A trusted person

If the usual supporter cannot help

Who has agreed to help, what can they do and how can they be reached? If nobody is available, note which service to contact.

Arrangements for children or other dependants

If relevant, agree who can look after anyone who depends on the person or their supporter, and how to contact them.

Review and share

Record what has actually been agreed. If you are writing notes before discussing them with the person, mark them as a draft. Do not record someone as agreeing unless they have done so.

Date written or last updated

When to review it

Who agreed this, and what still needs discussing?

Who has a copy, and where is it kept?

Review the plan when contacts or arrangements change and after a difficult period, when the person is ready. Replace old copies with the agreed update. These notes do not replace a clinical care plan or create legal authority to make decisions for someone.

Numbers already filled in for you

Use the route for where the person is:

England: call 111 and select the mental-health option.
Wales: call 111 and press 2.
Scotland: call NHS 24 on 111 and choose the mental-health option.
Northern Ireland: contact their GP or GP out-of-hours service for urgent assessment. Lifeline 0808 808 8000 offers crisis counselling. Free to call. 24 hours, every day.

Across the UK: 999 if life is at risk or nobody can be kept safe. Samaritans 116 123 for listening support. Free to call. 24 hours, every day. Urgent routes and sources.

Lancaster University’s REACT toolkit suggests developing a staying-well plan with a health professional where possible, and respecting the person’s choice about supporter involvement. These prompts are written by Here for Someone; REACT has not reviewed this tool.

Sources for the additional planning prompts

NICE bipolar guidance covers agreed warning signs, responses and contact routes. Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust explains planning for times when a carer is unavailable. NICE psychosis guidance includes responsibilities for children and others in assessment and care planning. These are prompts for discussion, not a replacement for an agreed clinical care plan.

Later checks: Additional planning prompts checked: 30 September 2026. Review and contact-role wording checked: 1 October 2026.

Planning and sharing: Mind on crisis planning. Contact roles: GOV.UK nearest-relative guidance. The review and agreement fields are Here for Someone’s prompts.

Last full source check: 26 September 2026