Helping Someone in a Mental Health Crisis

A mental health crisis happens when someone is in immediate danger of hurting themselves or others, or when they're so overwhelmed they can't function or care for themselves. Knowing how to respond can make a critical difference. Here's what to do.

What a Mental Health Crisis Looks Like

A crisis might involve:

• Suicide risk - Talking about wanting to die, making plans, or engaging in life-threatening behavior
• Self-harm - Cutting, burning, or other ways of hurting themselves
• Severe panic or anxiety - Unable to calm down, hyperventilating, feeling like they're dying
• Psychotic symptoms - Seeing or hearing things that aren't there, extreme paranoia, delusions
• Extreme agitation or violence - Threatening harm to others, destroying property
• Complete inability to care for themselves - Not eating, drinking, or responding to basic needs

If you're not sure whether it's a crisis, err on the side of caution. It's better to overreact than to wait too long.

Immediate Steps to Take

1. Ensure safety:

• If they're in immediate danger, call 911
• Remove access to weapons, medications, sharp objects, or other means of harm
• Stay with them if possible (or have someone else stay)

2. Stay calm:

• Your energy affects theirs. Take deep breaths and speak slowly and calmly
• Don't panic, yell, or become confrontational
• Keep your body language open and non-threatening

3. Listen without judgment:

• Let them talk without interrupting
• Validate their feelings: "I hear you. This sounds really overwhelming."
• Don't dismiss, minimize, or argue

4. Call for help:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Call or text 988 for guidance and support
• 911 - If they're in immediate physical danger or need emergency medical care
• Crisis Text Line - Text HOME to 741741
• Mobile crisis teams - Some areas have mental health professionals who respond to crises (ask 988 for local resources)

5. Don't leave them alone:

• Stay with them until professional help arrives
• If you can't stay, have someone else with them
• Keep them talking and engaged

What to Say (and Not Say)

Helpful responses:

• "I'm here with you. You're not alone."
• "I can see you're in a lot of pain. Let's get you help."
• "What do you need right now?"
• "You're safe. We're going to get through this together."

Avoid:

• "Calm down" (this rarely helps and can escalate things)
• "You're overreacting"
• "Just breathe" (when someone is in crisis, simple instructions don't work)
• "Think about your family" (adding guilt doesn't help)
• Arguing about whether their feelings are valid

When to Call 911

Call 911 if:

• They're actively trying to hurt themselves or someone else
• They've taken an overdose or have life-threatening injuries
• They're having severe physical symptoms (chest pain, difficulty breathing, seizures)
• They're completely unresponsive
• You feel unsafe

Tell the dispatcher:

• It's a mental health crisis
• Whether there are weapons present
• Whether the person has a history of violence
• Any diagnoses or medications you're aware of

Advocate for appropriate response:

• Ask if a crisis intervention team (CIT) or mental health professional can respond
• Request that police be trained in crisis intervention if possible

After the Immediate Crisis

Once they're safe:

• Help them connect with ongoing mental health care (therapist, psychiatrist, crisis stabilization programs)
• Create a crisis plan together for future episodes
• Check in regularly and consistently
• Encourage them to build a support network
• Connect them with peer support groups

Crisis Resources

Immediate help:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - 24/7 crisis support
• Crisis Text Line - Text HOME to 741741
• NAMI Helpline - 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) for information and local resources
• Emergency Room - Go to the nearest hospital

Ongoing support:

• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) - Education and support groups
• Local mental health crisis centers or mobile crisis teams
• Community mental health centers

Taking Care of Yourself

Responding to someone in crisis is traumatic. After the immediate danger has passed:

• Debrief with someone you trust
• Consider talking to a therapist about what you experienced
• Don't carry this alone
• Remember: you did your best, and professional help is essential

You Don't Have to Be Perfect

You don't need to say the perfect thing or fix the situation. Just being present, staying calm, and connecting them to professional help is enough. Your willingness to show up matters.

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If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call 911 immediately. This resource is educational and not a substitute for professional crisis intervention.