When it comes to evidence-informed, accessible resources for mental health and suicide prevention, there can never be enough options. And as youth often have their phones and virtual tools as their first go-to’s when seeking support and safety, Be Safe is a great app to have at your fingertips.

A couple of years ago, the Halton Suicide Prevention Coalition was looking for a new project to make suicide prevention and safety planning help available in a new way that could be accessed at anytime. When we checked out the Be Safe app, we loved that it was designed by youth for youth, that we could customize it with local information and supports, and that there was a range of materials we could use to promote it, including pocket guides and pop sockets. The series of questions that users are asked to determine the most appropriate resources is also a unique feature to provide meaningful guidance.

Not everyone is comfortable reaching out in person, and the Be Safe app gives our community another option. In particular, youth and people who work with youth seek out apps and innovative, engaging tools, and we recommend Be Safe without hesitation as a complement to and a way of connecting with local crisis supports. In fact, it’s been promoted at our local COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics as an accessible support that anyone can use at any time, so the word is getting out there.

Thanks to the mindyourmind team for their support and for making Halton part of the Be Safe family.

Melanie McGregorChair, Halton Suicide Prevention Coalition and Health Promotion and Advancement Specialist, Canadian Mental Health Association Halton Region Branch