Our featured service for June is Beyond Now, a suicide safety planning app and website helping people stay safe when they are experiencing suicidal thoughts, feelings, or crisis.

Beyond Now was developed by Beyond Blue to provide a platform where people can create their own personalized safety plan to support them through times of sadness and when they are struggling to cope. The app consolidates a user’s coping tools into a series of steps they can carry with them and access anywhere and anytime to help reduce the intensity of suicidal thoughts and increase their ability to cope.

What is Beyond Now?

Beyond Now is a website and app suicide safety planning resource for people going through tough times, experiencing suicidal thoughts and feelings. Beyond Now guides users through seven steps, organizing their coping tools in to:

• Recognising your warning signs
• Making your surroundings safe
• Reminders of reasons to live
• Things that can make you feel strong
• People and places to connect with
• Family and friends you can talk or yarn with
• Professional support

The app provides suggestions at each stage if people get stuck, and users can go back and update their plan at any time. In addition, Beyond Now has built in Australian crisis phone numbers and sections for social support and professional contacts which can be dialed from within the app. Users can also share their personalized safety plan with others via email.

People can access and work through Beyond Now on their own or with a family member, Elder, health professional or support person. Beyond Now is not intended to be the only form of support. It is designed to be used as part of an overall mental wellbeing and safety strategy.

Who is Beyond Now for?

Beyond Now was developed to support anyone who has experienced suicidal thoughts of feelings. Health professionals, family members and friends can also access information about Beyond Now on the Beyond Blue website.

Is there a cost to use Beyond Now?

No. Both the app and website versions of Beyond Now are free to use.

How to access Beyond Now

Beyond Now app is available to download for free from the Apple Store or Google Play for smartphones.

The website version can be accessed at https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/beyondnow-suicide-safety-planning/create-beyondnow-safety-plan. Once a user has completed their suicide safety plan online they can choose to print a PDF, or email a copy to themselves, their GP, mental health professional or trusted supporters.

There is no registration required to start creating a suicide safety plan with Beyond Blue.