For immediate release.

June 21, 2016

LONDON: Be Safe, a free mobile app that connects youth with provincial and community-specific mental health and addiction resources, is now extending its reach to the Francophone community.

The Be Safe app helps youth and families manage mental health and addiction crises and identify local supports to aid in decision making. It encourages youth to develop a comprehensive safety plan and helps them keep key personal information, and their health care options, close at hand. In an emergency situation, youth can provide medical professionals relevant health information, such as medication lists, and how to support them in crisis at the touch of a button. With the release of the French version of the app, this information can be available in both English and French simply by switching the language on the individual’s phone. The Be Safe app is complemented by a paper pocket guide, which increases the accessibility of the resource and allows youth to always have back-up information about community services and their safety plan.

Be Safe was originally developed by a team of youth in partnership with mindyourmind, a national mental health program for young people, CAMH’s Provincial System Support Program, and other partners in the Systems Improvement through Service Collaboratives initiative in London, Ontario. The app was first introduced in 2014 to service the community of London Middlesex. It is currently available in nineteen regions across Ontario, with more signing on each month. Having the app available in French ensures a broader community of youth can better access services, and support health professionals servicing the francophone community.

The latest version of the Be Safe app is available (free) for download for Apple or Android devices from the new Be Safe website, mindyourmind’s Be Safe webpage, as well as on iTunes and Google Play stores. French and English paper copies can be downloaded from the Be Safe website at: http://besafeapp.ca.

For more information, or to learn more about adapting Be Safe in your region, please contact:

Melissa Taylor-Gates
Program Manager
226-884-9058 ex 11
melissa@mindyourmind.ca