How to Get Help During a Mental Health Crisis

A mental health crisis is a situation where someone’s emotional distress has become so intense that they need immediate help. These moments can feel frightening and overwhelming, but knowing where to turn can make a significant difference.

This article provides information about recognizing a crisis and accessing immediate support. Help is available at any time, day or night.

Understanding a Mental Health Crisis

A mental health crisis occurs when someone is in immediate emotional or psychological distress that they cannot manage on their own. The person may feel unable to cope with their current situation or keep themselves safe.

Signs that someone may be experiencing a mental health crisis include:

• Thoughts of harming themselves or others
• Inability to care for basic needs like eating, sleeping, or hygiene
• Experiencing a break from reality, such as hearing voices or having beliefs not based in reality
• Extreme agitation, anger, or emotional pain
• Severe panic or anxiety that feels unmanageable
• Engaging in risky or dangerous behaviors

A crisis can develop gradually or happen suddenly. Either way, immediate support is important.

Immediate Crisis Resources

If you or someone you know is in a mental health crisis, several resources provide immediate help.

National Crisis Lines

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 from anywhere in the United States. This free, confidential service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Trained crisis counselors provide support and can connect you with local resources. You don’t have to be suicidal to call. Any mental health crisis qualifies.

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to reach a trained crisis counselor. This service is available 24/7 and provides support through text messaging for those who prefer not to talk on the phone.

SAMHSA National Helpline: Call 1-800-662-4357 for free, confidential information and referrals for mental health and substance use concerns. This service operates 24/7 in English and Spanish.

Emergency Services

In situations where someone is in immediate danger of harming themselves or others, call 911. Emergency responders are trained to handle mental health crises, though experiences with emergency services can vary.

When calling 911, let the dispatcher know it’s a mental health crisis. Provide calm, clear information about the situation. If possible, mention any diagnosis or medications the person takes.

When to Use Emergency Room Services

Hospital emergency departments provide care for mental health crises. Going to an emergency room may be the right choice when:

• Someone has harmed themselves and needs medical attention
• A person is actively threatening to hurt themselves or others
• Someone is experiencing severe symptoms that make them unable to function
• Crisis lines have recommended emergency room evaluation
• You’re unsure where else to turn and feel the situation is urgent

At the emergency room, medical staff will assess the person’s physical and mental health needs. They determine what level of care is appropriate and make recommendations for next steps.

Mobile Crisis Teams and Crisis Centers

Many communities now offer specialized mental health crisis services. These alternatives to emergency rooms focus specifically on mental health support.

Mobile Crisis Teams

Mobile crisis teams are groups of mental health professionals who come to where the person is experiencing crisis. They can assess the situation, provide immediate support, and help determine appropriate next steps.

These teams often include counselors, social workers, or nurses trained in crisis intervention. Some teams also include peer support specialists who have their own lived experience with mental health challenges.

To access mobile crisis services, contact your local mental health center or community mental health board. Some areas allow you to request mobile crisis response through 988.

Crisis Stabilization Centers

Crisis stabilization centers provide short-term care in a calm, non-hospital setting. These centers offer a place to stay for a brief period, usually 24 to 72 hours, while receiving mental health support.

Staff members help develop safety plans, connect people with ongoing care, and provide a supportive environment during acute distress. Not all communities have crisis centers, but they’re becoming more common.

What to Expect When You Reach Out

Calling a crisis line or seeking emergency help during intense distress can feel scary. Knowing what to expect may make it easier to reach out.

When you contact a crisis line, a trained counselor will answer. They’ll listen to what you’re experiencing without judgment. The counselor will ask questions to better understand your situation and assess your safety. Together, you’ll talk through options and develop a plan for getting through the immediate crisis.

Crisis counselors don’t force solutions. They work with you to find the support that makes sense for your situation. The conversation is confidential, with rare exceptions related to immediate safety concerns.

Helping Someone Else in Crisis

If someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis, your support matters. Stay calm and listen without judging or dismissing their feelings.

Important steps include:

• Take them seriously if they express thoughts of self-harm
• Stay with them if possible, or make sure they’re not alone
• Remove access to means of self-harm, such as medications or weapons
• Speak in a calm, reassuring tone
• Encourage them to reach out to crisis resources
• Offer to call or sit with them while they call

Don’t promise to keep thoughts of self-harm secret. While confidentiality is generally important, safety comes first during a crisis.

Following Up After the Immediate Crisis

Once the immediate crisis passes, follow-up care becomes important. Crisis intervention provides short-term safety and stabilization, but ongoing support helps address underlying concerns.

Follow-up might include:

• Scheduling an appointment with a therapist or counselor
• Connecting with a psychiatrist for medication evaluation
• Joining a support group
• Creating a safety plan for future difficult moments
• Identifying warning signs and coping skills

Many crisis services help with these connections. They can provide referrals to local mental health professionals and programs.

Creating a Personal Crisis Plan

During calmer times, creating a crisis plan can make future difficult moments more manageable. A crisis plan includes information about your warning signs, coping strategies that help, and emergency contacts.

Include in your plan:

• Early warning signs that your mental health is declining
• Activities or skills that help you feel better
• People you can call for support
• Crisis line numbers and local emergency resources
• Medications you take and doctors you see
• Things you want healthcare providers to know about helping you

Keep copies of your crisis plan where you can easily find them. Share copies with trusted family members or friends.

You Don’t Have to Wait for a Crisis

You don’t need to be in crisis to seek mental health support. If you’re struggling, reaching out to a mental health professional before things become urgent is always appropriate.

Regular counseling can help address concerns before they escalate. Early intervention often leads to better outcomes and can prevent future crises.

Finding Ongoing Support

Mental health crises often point to a need for consistent care. A licensed mental health counselor can work with you to understand patterns, develop coping skills, and address underlying concerns.

Many counseling practices offer same-day or next-day appointments for urgent situations. Community mental health centers typically have crisis services and can connect you with ongoing care.

Treatment works. With appropriate support, people move through crisis and develop stronger skills for managing their mental health. Reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness.

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This blog was developed with support from AI-assisted research tools. All clinical content was reviewed and approved by the Clinical Director, who retains full responsibility for accuracy and clinical appropriateness.

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