Staying Safe and Sane

First steps

Your First Steps to Safety and Peace
Taking the first step is often the hardest part, but you don’t have to do everything at once. Start here to begin reclaiming your space and your strength.

  1. Prioritize Your Immediate Safety
    If you are in immediate danger, please call emergency services right away. If you are safe for now but worried about your privacy, remember to clear your browser history after visiting this site or use “Incognito/Private” mode so your searches remain private.
  2. Trust Your Instincts
    You are the expert on your own life. If a situation feels “heavy” or “off,” trust that feeling. Take a moment to read our section on Heavy Homes to help put words to what you are sensing; sometimes, naming the problem is the first step to solving it.
  3. Build a Simple Safety Plan
    Safety doesn’t have to be a 20-page document. Start by identifying one “safe person” you can call and one place you can go if things escalate. We have a Quick Safety Guide that can help you organize these thoughts without feeling overwhelmed.
  4. Quiet the Noise
    When you are living in high stress, your mind can feel scattered. Spend five minutes in our Mental Wellness section to find a simple grounding exercise. Reclaiming even a few minutes of calm can help you think more clearly about your next move.