Code RED
Prepare for your worst day—before it happens
CODE RED is an evidence-based safety planning program that helps individuals build practical, personalized strategies to navigate their worst day before it occurs.
CODE RED helps individuals build their own step-by-step safety plan, which is practical, easy to follow, and tailored to what helps them feel grounded, safe, and supported. These plans are oriented around four essential skills: COntact, DElay, RElax, and Distract.
Created by Dr. Julie Cerel, international suicide prevention expert and Professor in the College of Social Work at the University of Kentucky (CoSW) and director of the CoSW Suicide Prevention and Exposure Lab, CODE RED uses evidence-based approaches to help reduce suicide risk and connect individuals with meaningful prevention and support resources.
When emotions feel intense, it can be hard to know what to do next. Having a plan in place provides reassurance and allows people to engage quickly with personalized solutions.
With CODE RED, individuals learn to identify:
CODE RED offers a research-supported, easy-to-implement framework that helps communities support mental wellbeing in meaningful ways.
Why it’s important:
CODE RED empowers participants to take an active role in their mental wellbeing and strengthens community support networks.
50,000
1 in 5
Half Of Us
Bring CODE RED to Your Community
CODE RED is designed for individuals ages 12 and older and can be adapted for a variety of community and professional settings.
The program has been successfully delivered in:
Schools and youth organizations
Colleges and universities
Workplaces and employee wellness programs
Faith-based and community organizations
Healthcare and behavioral health settings
Nonprofit and advocacy groups
Workshops can be customized to meet the needs of each audience while maintaining the integrity of the program’s research-based framework.
Read More about the Suicide Prevention & Exposure Lab
Ready to take the next step?
CODE RED offers both participant workshops and facilitator certification opportunities.
Participant Workshops
CODE RED workshops introduce individuals to universal safety planning skills and guide participants through creating their own personalized safety plan.
Sessions can be delivered in person or virtually and are designed to be interactive, engaging, and accessible.
Whether you are interested in scheduling a workshop or becoming a certified facilitator, our team can help you get started.
Facilitator Certification
Organizations and professionals can become certified CODE RED facilitators, allowing them to deliver CODE RED within their own communities.
Facilitator training includes:
- Comprehensive instruction on CODE RED methodology
- Program materials and facilitation guidance
- Certification valid for three years
- Ongoing connection to program updates and support