New app helps youth Be Safe
Loyalist student uses the Be Safe app. Photo by Aynslee Darmon.
BELLEVILLE – A new app helping youth with mental health and addiction issues has recently opened up to Hastings and Prince Edward County.
Be Safe, developed in London Ont., allows youth to change their location to find local resources to help with their mental health. There have been 13 different regions added this past summer, including Hastings and Prince Edward County. Youth can also change their region as they travel.
“What the app does is it allows youth to create their own safety plan, and that could include coping strategies, personal and medical information. So some of the coping strategies could calm them down, and you know, help them stay calm,” said Lily Lee, transition facilitator for Youth Habilitation of Quinte.
“Some of the coping skills could include listening to a specific song or looking at a photo and that will all be located in the app,” she added.
Another feature is the built-in decision tool, says Lee.
“Through a series of questions to assess their level of need, Be Safe would provide different options of resources of getting help,” she continued.
The app also allows youth with hearing or speech impairments to contact emergency through text message.
Be Safe is a free app available for Apple and Android devices.
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