Finding Help And Hope: What To Do In A Mental Health Crisis

Share this article:

---

A mental health crisis can be a profoundly isolating and frightening experience, both for the individual going through it and for their loved ones. It’s a period of intense emotional, psychological, and sometimes physical distress where an individual’s typical coping mechanisms fail, and their ability to function is significantly impaired. Contrary to common misconceptions, a crisis isn’t a sign of weakness or a character flaw but a medical situation requiring compassion, knowledge, and appropriate action. Understanding the signs of a crisis and having a clear plan can be the difference between escalation and recovery, transforming a moment of despair into a pathway toward stability. 

Read on to learn what to do in a mental health crisis.  

Recognizing the Warning Signs 

Recognizing the warning signs is the critical first step. A crisis can manifest in various ways, but common indicators include overwhelming anxiety or panic attacks, severe depression that makes it impossible to get out of bed, a sudden shift in mood from despair to calm which may indicate a decision to self-harm, paranoia or loss of touch with reality (psychosis), talking about suicide or having a suicide plan, engaging in reckless or self-destructive behavior, and an inability to perform basic self-care. For observers, the key is to note a dramatic and concerning change from the person's baseline behavior. 

Immediate Action: De-escalation and Safety 

When a crisis is identified, the immediate priority is ensuring safety. The goal of de-escalation is to reduce the intensity of the situation without the use of force. Approach the person calmly and with empathy. Use a non-confrontational tone and give them physical space to avoid making them feel trapped. Listen actively without judgment, acknowledging their feelings rather than dismissing them with phrases like “just calm down” or “snap out of it.”  

Simple questions such as “How can I help you right now?” or “I can see you’re in pain, and I’m here with you,” can be grounding. The focus should be on creating a safe environment and connecting the person to professional help. For many individuals, accessing a specialized mental health program can also provide the structured support necessary for stabilization and long-term healing. 

Knowing the Emergency Resources 

It’s essential to know which resource to call and when. In the United States, several lifelines are available, such as:  

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 

By dialing 988, individuals anywhere in the United States can connect immediately with a trained crisis counselor. This service, which replaced the longer National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number, is free, confidential, and available 24/7. It serves as the primary national resource for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or for those seeking guidance on how to help someone else. The counselors are skilled in active listening, de-escalation, and can provide immediate support, assess for risk, and connect callers to local resources for ongoing care. 

911 

This should be reserved for situations where there’s an immediate, life-threatening danger, such as a suicide attempt in progress, serious self-harm, or violence toward others. When calling 911, it’s crucial to inform the dispatcher that the emergency is related to a mental health crisis. This information can help them dispatch a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) if one is available in the area. CIT officers receive specialized training to de-escalate mental health emergencies safely. 

Crisis Text Line 

For individuals who may find verbal communication overwhelming or unsafe during a crisis, the Crisis Text Line offers a vital, accessible alternative. By texting the keyword HOME to 741741, a person is connected to a trained crisis counselor through a secure, anonymous text-based conversation. This service is available 24/7, providing a discreet way to seek support from anywhere. The text-based format can be less intimidating, allowing individuals to articulate their feelings clearly and receive de-escalation guidance and resource referrals. 

Local Mobile Crisis Teams 

Many communities deploy Mobile Crisis Teams as a specialized alternative to traditional law enforcement for mental health emergencies. These units consist of mental health professionals, such as clinicians and peer support specialists, who can respond in person to a crisis location, which is often a person's home. To locate this service, a quick online search can provide local contact information. Their expertise allows for on-the-spot assessment, de-escalation, and connection to appropriate services, often preventing a more traumatic emergency room visit. 

Creating a Crisis Plan Proactively 

A mental health crisis plan, sometimes called a wellness recovery action plan (WRAP), is a proactive tool developed during a period of stability. It serves as a roadmap for the individual and their support system if a crisis occurs. A comprehensive plan typically includes: 

• Personal Warning Signs: A personalized list of early warning signs is crucial to a crisis plan, as it allows for intervention before a situation escalates. These signs are unique to the individual but typically follow recognizable patterns. Thoughts may include a persistent sense of hopelessness, intrusive ideas of self-harm, or believing one is a burden. Feelings could manifest as unshakable irritability, overwhelming anxiety, or emotional numbness. Behaviorally, signs often include social withdrawal, neglecting personal hygiene, drastic sleep changes, or increased substance use. Documenting these specific, personal indicators can create a critical window for employing coping strategies and seeking support proactively. 
• Internal Coping Strategies: These activities are essential tools for emotional regulation, providing a mental distraction from distressing thoughts and a physiological shift away from a heightened stress response. Distraction techniques, like listening to uplifting music, solving puzzles, or immersing oneself in a creative hobby, engage the brain's cognitive resources, offering a respite from cyclical negative thinking. Self-soothing practices, including meditation, deep breathing exercises, or gentle physical activity like walking, can calm the nervous system. They can also lower heart rate and reduce cortisol levels, creating a sense of safety within the body and making challenging emotions more manageable. 
• Support Network: This component of a crisis plan can create a tangible, actionable support network for moments of overwhelming distress. It moves beyond the abstract idea of "reaching out" by specifying exactly who to contact, eliminating the paralysis of decision-making during a crisis. The list should be curated carefully, including individuals who have demonstrated non-judgmental understanding and reliability. For each contact, it is vital to note their name and phone number, their relationship, and the best method to reach them. This pre-identified safety net can ensure immediate connection to empathy and practical assistance. 
• Professional Resources: This element of a crisis plan can ensure a direct and immediate connection to professional care during a critical moment. Having the names, direct phone numbers, and after-hours contact instructions for one’s therapist and psychiatrist can facilitate a swift response from those most familiar with the individual’s history. Equally important is listing a preferred hospital's address and phone number with a reputable psychiatric emergency department. This pre-identification can help prevent stressful deliberation when urgency is paramount and can guide first responders or loved ones, ensuring the individual is taken to a facility known for providing appropriate, compassionate mental health crisis care. 
• Medication Information: A current and accurate medication list is a critical safety document during a mental health crisis, as it provides emergency personnel with vital information to make informed medical decisions. This list should include the exact names of all prescribed medications, their precise dosages, and the frequency with which they are taken. Crucially, it must also state each prescribing physician's full name and contact information. This can prevent dangerous drug interactions if new medications need to be administered and ensures continuity of care by allowing professionals to quickly verify a treatment plan, thereby safeguarding the individual's physical and psychological well-being. 

A readily available physical or digital copy of the crisis plan is a powerful tool that shifts the dynamic during an emergency. It empowers the individual by providing a concrete, pre-determined course of action when their capacity to think clearly may be compromised. For loved ones and first responders, the plan can reduce uncertainty and guide them to provide support that aligns with the individual's known preferences and needs, ensuring a more coordinated, calmer, and effective response to the crisis. 

The Role of Professional Treatment and Support Systems 

---