We plan for all sorts of events and emergencies.
We buy insurance.
If we know we live in an area prone to tornadoes or hurricanes or floods, we have a plan for how to handle those potential crises.
We can (and it’s a very good idea to) plan for potential mental health challenges and even crises too.
Who do you want to help and support you?
Who do you not want involved?
What are your early warning signs that things are getting worse or nearing a crisis?
What triggers or stressors negatively impact your mental health?
How can you limit or avoid them?
How do you best manage those you can’t avoid?
How will you (and others) know when you’re in crisis?
And how will you/they know when you no longer are?
These are all great questions.
And knowing our own personal answers and writing them down in an organized Wellness Recovery Action Plan (or WRAP) can help us maintain some control even in times that feel out of our control.
A licensed psychologist will walk us through the steps of making a plan and give examples and advice to make it easier for you.
Here’s a link to the free WRAP outline we’re following: www.getselfhelp.co.uk/docs/WRAP.pdf
