Sometimes it feels like you are struggling to stay afloat.
Thoughts race, emotions build up, and it’s hard to stay calm. In those moments, having something to hold on to can make all the difference. Mental Health Crises can happen to anyone, often without warning. Stress can narrow your view, anxiety can make choices feel limited, and worry can drain your energy. A Helpie Ring is a safety plan to help you prepare for those moments. It reminds you to notice early signs that you’re struggling, choose safe things to do, and know who you can reach out to for help. It’s a simple, practical way to stay prepared so you’re not alone or unprepared in life’s difficult moments.
Step 1: Recognize Your Warning Signs
The first step in staying safe is awareness. Think about what happens when you start
to feel low, stressed, or emotionally tired. These could be changes in your thoughts,
feelings, or actions.
- Feeling more irritable, restless, or hopeless
- Having racing thoughts or difficulty concentrating
- Withdrawing from people or losing interest in things you usually enjoy
- Changes in sleep, appetite, or energy
- Thinking “I can’t handle this anymore”
Recognizing early signs helps you activate safety plan before distress deepens
Step 2: Make Your Environment Safe
When you notice your warning signs, small environmental changes
can make a big difference.
Ask yourself: What can I change around me to feel safe and supported?
- Stay in a safe, comforting space rather than being alone or isolated
- Limit access to anything that could increase risk or harm
- Spend time with trusted people who help you feel calm and grounded
- Engage in calming activities — nature walk, journaling, stretching, music
- Keep crisis helpline numbers visible and accessible
Your surroundings can make you feel tense or calm. Choose what helps you feel safe.
Step 3: Hold on to Purpose
When life feels uncertain, your sense of purpose acts like an anchor. It reminds you
why you matter and what gives your life meaning – family, work, creativity, faith,
learning, or helping others. Writing this down keeps you connected to what’s worth
holding on to, especially when emotions feel intense.
Step 4: Practice Daily Calmdown Actions
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leoCoping means finding small things that help your mind and body feel calmer.
These are habits you can do every day — not just when you’re upset — so they’re
easier to use when something really bothers you.
Ask yourself: What helps me pause, breathe, and feel a little lighter, even for a few
minutes? Try something like taking slow, deep breaths, splashing cool water on your face, stretching or moving your body, listening to your favourite music, talking to someone you trust, writing or drawing how you feel, spending time with a pet or in nature. Doing these often helps your brain learn how to slow down, feel safe, and think clearly, even during tough moments.
Step 5: Reach Out and Stay Connected
Staying connected keeps you safe. When you have people you trust, you don’t have
to face tough times alone. Write down their names and phone numbers so you can
reach them easily if you ever feel scared, sad, or unsure what to do.
- Personal: Family or friends who make you feel safe and listen when you talk.
- Professional: Mental health professionals, helplines you can reach for guidance.
- Emergency: People or services you can call immediately in case of danger.
Keeping these contacts ready means help is just one call away whenever you need it.
Why Create a Helpie Ring?
Your Helpie Ring helps you prepare before a crisis, so you can:
- Respond calmly instead of reacting impulsively.
- Manage stress and strong emotions more effectively.
- Make clearer, safer choices when under pressure.
The more we prepare in calm, the less we struggle in a storm. Building your Helpie Ring helps make it easier to talk openly about stress, emotions, and seeking help when you need it.
Benefits of a Helpie Ring
- Promotes calm and safety during distress.
- Encourages help-seeking as a healthy step.
- Builds a solution-focused way of thinking.
- Strengthens control and clarity in crisis.
- Reduces stigma around asking for support.
- Supports early recognition and timely action