Mental health crises can happen to anyone, regardless of whether they’re currently in treatment or have a history of mental health challenges. Knowing how to recognize a crisis, where to get immediate help, and what resources are available can be life-saving information for you or someone you care about.
What Constitutes a Mental Health Crisis
A mental health crisis is any situation where someone’s mental or emotional state puts them or others at immediate risk of harm. This goes beyond feeling stressed, sad, or anxious, it involves acute symptoms that require immediate professional intervention.
Immediate safety concerns include:
- Thoughts of suicide or plans to harm oneself
- Threats or plans to harm others
- Psychotic symptoms like hallucinations or delusions that impair judgment
- Severe substance use that creates immediate danger
- Complete inability to care for basic needs (eating, hygiene, safety)
- Manic episodes involving dangerous or reckless behavior
Warning signs that a crisis may be developing:
- Talking about wanting to die or having no reason to live
- Researching methods of suicide or giving away possessions
- Dramatic mood changes or sudden improvement after a period of depression
- Increased substance use or reckless behavior
- Social withdrawal and isolation from family and friends
- Expressing feelings of hopelessness or being trapped
Immediate Crisis Resources
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Call or text 988 for free, confidential support 24/7. The Lifeline provides crisis counseling and support for people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, as well as guidance for family and friends.
Crisis Text Line Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor via text message. This service is available 24/7 and can be helpful for people who prefer texting over talking.
National Sexual Assault Hotline Call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) for confidential support from trained staff members who can provide crisis intervention and referrals to local resources.
National Domestic Violence Hotline Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788 for confidential support regarding domestic violence situations.
SAMHSA National Helpline Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for information and referrals for substance use and mental health treatment. Available 24/7 in English and Spanish.
When to Go to the Emergency Room
Emergency rooms can provide immediate safety and stabilization during mental health crises, though they’re not ideal for ongoing mental health care. Consider the ER when:
Immediate safety is at risk due to suicidal or homicidal thoughts with specific plans Psychotic symptoms are severely impairing judgment or creating safety concerns Severe substance intoxication or withdrawal that could be medically dangerous Complete inability to function or care for basic needs No other crisis resources are immediately available
What to Expect in the Emergency Room
ER staff will conduct a mental health assessment to determine immediate safety needs and appropriate next steps. This may involve:
- Questions about suicidal or homicidal thoughts
- Assessment of substance use
- Evaluation of ability to care for yourself safely
- Determination of whether hospitalization is necessary
The ER can provide immediate stabilization and safety, but ongoing treatment will typically need to be arranged through outpatient providers or specialized programs.
Crisis vs. Urgent Mental Health Needs
Not every mental health concern requires emergency intervention. Understanding the difference can help you get appropriate help at the right level.
Crisis situations require immediate intervention to ensure safety. These involve imminent risk of harm to self or others.
Urgent situations are serious but not immediately life-threatening. These might include:
- Significant worsening of depression or anxiety that’s affecting daily functioning
- New or worsening symptoms that are concerning but not immediately dangerous
- Need for medication adjustments due to side effects or lack of effectiveness
- Relationship or family crises that are causing significant distress
For urgent situations, same-day or next-day appointments with mental health providers are often more appropriate than emergency services.
How to Help Someone in Crisis
Stay calm and take the situation seriously. Don’t dismiss threats of suicide or self-harm, even if the person has made them before.
Listen without judgment. Let the person express their feelings without trying to argue them out of their emotional state or minimize their distress.
Don’t leave them alone if you believe they’re at immediate risk of harm. Stay with them or ensure someone else can provide supervision until professional help arrives.
Remove potential means of harm if safely possible. This might include medications, weapons, or other dangerous items.
Call for professional help. Don’t try to handle a serious crisis situation alone. Contact 988, call 911, or take the person to an emergency room.
Follow up after the crisis. Check in regularly and help connect them with ongoing mental health support.
What NOT to Do During a Crisis
Don’t promise to keep suicidal thoughts secret. While you want to respect someone’s privacy, safety takes priority over confidentiality.
Don’t try to argue someone out of suicidal feelings with statements like “You have so much to live for.” This can make people feel more misunderstood.
Don’t leave someone alone if you believe they’re at serious risk, even if they ask you to.
Don’t be afraid to ask directly about suicide. Asking doesn’t increase risk and often provides relief that someone cares enough to ask.
Don’t try to handle it entirely yourself. Mental health crises require professional intervention.
Planning Ahead for Crisis Situations
If you or someone you care about has a history of mental health challenges, creating a crisis plan ahead of time can be extremely helpful:
- Identify warning signs that typically precede a crisis for you or your loved one
- List emergency contacts including family, friends, and healthcare providers
- Include crisis hotline numbers and local emergency resources
- Specify preferred hospitals or treatment facilities if hospitalization is needed
- Document current medications and any medical conditions
- Include insurance information and identification
Follow-Up After a Crisis
Crisis intervention provides immediate safety and stabilization, but ongoing support is crucial for recovery and preventing future crises:
- Schedule immediate follow-up with a mental health provider, ideally within 24-48 hours
- Ensure medication compliance if medications were prescribed or adjusted during the crisis
- Address underlying factors that contributed to the crisis through ongoing therapy
- Build stronger support systems and coping strategies
- Continue with safety planning and crisis prevention strategies
How Anuvia Supports Crisis Situations
We’re committed to supporting our clients through difficult times. Same-day appointments are available for clients experiencing urgent mental health needs, allowing us to provide immediate support when situations are deteriorating but haven’t yet reached emergency levels. We incorporate safety planning as part of ongoing treatment for clients with crisis history, helping them identify early warning signs and develop specific strategies for managing difficult moments.
When clients require higher levels of care than we can provide, we coordinate closely with emergency services and hospitals to ensure smooth transitions and continuity of care. After any crisis situation, we prioritize immediate follow-up to help clients process their experience, adjust treatment plans as needed, and prevent future crises. We also provide family support and education about crisis recognition and response, helping loved ones understand warning signs and know how to respond appropriately when someone they care about is struggling.
Supporting Your Own Mental Health
The best crisis intervention is crisis prevention. Taking care of your ongoing mental health reduces the likelihood of reaching crisis points and helps you build resilience for handling life’s challenges. Maintaining regular mental health appointments even when you’re feeling well helps catch potential problems early and ensures you have consistent support during both good and difficult times.
Taking medications as prescribed and communicating openly with your providers about any concerns, side effects, or changes in symptoms helps ensure your treatment remains effective. Building strong support systems with family, friends, or support groups creates a network of people who can provide help during difficult times and may notice warning signs before you do.
Developing healthy coping strategies for managing stress and difficult emotions gives you tools to handle challenges without reaching crisis levels. This might include relaxation techniques, exercise routines, creative outlets, or other activities that help you process emotions and reduce stress. Most importantly, paying attention to early warning signs and seeking help before situations become critical can prevent many mental health crises from developing in the first place.
Remember: Crises Are Temporary
Mental health crises can feel overwhelming and hopeless, but they are temporary situations that can be resolved with appropriate help. Many people who experience mental health crises go on to live fulfilling, healthy lives with proper treatment and support.
If you’re reading this during a difficult time, please remember that help is available and that reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness.In an immediate crisis? Call 988 or go to your nearest emergency room. Need urgent mental health support? Call Anuvia at (704) 376-7447 to discuss same-day appointment options. We’re here to help you through difficult times and connect you with the level of care that’s right for your situation.