What To Do During A Mental Health Crisis

Everyone knows that when someone is seriously hurt, they should seek emergency medical attention. But when it comes to a mental health emergency, it can be more difficult to know what to do, who to call, or even how to recognize the problem when it is happening. 

If you’ve ever experienced a mental health crisis yourself, you know that it is a serious situation and that how you respond matters. Taking the right steps can help ensure that the person stays safe in the moment and gets the long-term support that they need.

And if you are experiencing a mental health crisis yourself, remember:

• mental health crises can impact anyone
• they are treatable and temporary
• resources are available to help you
• you are absolutely worth helping

Recognizing A Mental Health Crisis 

A mental health crisis is any situation in which a person’s thoughts, emotions, or behavior become so disrupted or extreme that that person is unable to function properly, or they put themselves or others at risk. These crises can affect anyone, and they can come on suddenly and unpredictably or evolve slowly after months or years of mental or emotional pressure. 

Likewise, the symptoms of a mental health crisis can be very different from situation to situation, and it may look very different than what you would expect. A person having a mental health crisis could be frantic, confused, angry, scared, and out of touch with reality. However, they could just as easily be lethargic, robotic, unemotional, or entirely shut down. 

Some specific warning signs for a mental health issue that you should know to watch for, in your own behavior or that of others, include:

• severe mood swings or a seeming lack of emotion
• strong feelings or behaviors related to anxiety or panic
• paranoid or delusional thoughts, beliefs, or behavior
• hallucinations, including flashbacks
• self-isolation and withdrawal from friends and family
• problems sleeping or eating, either too much or too little 
• concentration problems impacting memory, learning, and concentration
• not taking care of oneself (e.g., not showering, wearing clean clothes, etc.)
• unexplained physical problems like aches, pains, headaches, and exhaustion
• inability to complete daily tasks or responsibilities
• exposing oneself to danger or self-harming
• thinking or talking about death, dying, or killing oneself

Triggering Events

Mental health crises are often (though not always) triggered by specific events in a person’s life that he or she may not be able to cope with. For instance, a person may have recently experienced the death of a loved one, a breakup, job loss, a traumatic accident, or a difficult diagnosis. Substance use can also exacerbate or even trigger serious mental health issues. 

These events are common, with about half of all adults in the U.S. experiencing at least one significantly traumatic event in their lives, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

If someone in your life experiences a major negative life event, it may be worth checking in with them to make sure they are able to navigate their own thoughts, feelings, fears, and concerns in the days, weeks, or months that follow. Having someone to talk to, and knowing that someone out there cares, can make a world of difference. 

If You Are Having A Mental Health Crisis

The better you know someone, the better the chance you have of recognizing a mental health crisis early. And the same goes for yourself. By paying attention to your own thoughts, feelings, and behavior, you may be able to recognize when you are struggling or when something is wrong, so you can get help early. 

If you are experiencing a crisis, the first thing you should do is try to stay calm. The symptoms involved with a mental health emergency can be extreme both physically and mentally. 

Next, reach out to someone you trust. This could be a loved one, your doctor, a therapist, or someone else you trust. 

If you don’t have someone available, or the situation is more urgent, consider reaching out to a national or local mental health crisis hotline, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The people on the other end of the line are trained to listen, talk you through your concerns, and help you find solutions or get you other help in your local area. 

Otherwise, if you feel that you are at risk of immediate harm, you can call 911 for emergency medical response, though this should only be done as a last resort. 

If Someone Around You Is Having A Mental Health Crisis

If you notice that another person is having serious symptoms of poor mental health or a full-fledged mental health crisis, you can help. If it is safe to do so, go to the person and talk to them. Keep calm, ask questions, and ask how you can help. If they want to talk, listen actively and allow them to share while validating their feelings and offering compassion and empathy. 

You should also encourage the person having the crisis to call for help, and offer to help them get in touch with a professional. If they are willing to call 988, it can be a good start, as this can put them in touch with professionals who are trained to help them deal with their situation and who can connect them to other local resources. 

However, sometimes people who are experiencing a mental health crisis may not be willing to get help, even if they are an immediate risk to themselves or others due to extreme mental health symptoms. There are many reasons why this may be so, including that paranoia and mistrust of others can be symptoms of a crisis, creating a barrier to seeking care. If this is the case, and the person you are speaking with is at risk of causing themselves or others harm through suicide, violence, a medical issue, or neglect, contact 911 immediately and give the operator as much information as you can. 

Treatment For A Mental Health Crisis

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), less than half of U.S. adults with mental illness actually receive treatment (47.2% in 2021). And the average length of time between the onset of a person’s symptoms and them actually receiving treatment is 11 years. 

If you or someone you love has experienced a mental health crisis, you don’t have to put off getting help, and you don’t need to be afraid of the treatment process. Mental health treatment today is not about punishment, control, or taking away someone’s independence. It is about stabilizing a person’s symptoms and reducing any risk of long-term harm, while also helping them to develop the mental, emotional, and social resources they need to thrive.

The specific kind of treatment that may be provided will change based on the situation, but can involve the use of medications to address specific symptoms or chemical imbalances, as well as counseling or individual, group, and family therapy. Lifestyle social changes may also be recommended if something in the person’s home or work environment is contributing to their situation. 

Some of the settings where treatment is provided during a mental health crisis, in order of most- to least-intensive care, include:

• hospital emergency rooms
• inpatient psychiatric hospitals
• crisis stabilization units
• respite care centers
• in-home support
• partial hospitalization programs (PHP)
• intensive outpatient programs (IOP)
• outpatient therapy offices

Mental health crisis treatment typically serves as a bridge to other, longer-term treatment services, in order to help patients transition out from the crisis and into a healthier, happier, and better future. This pathway can look different for each person, but it is important that everyone who has experienced a crisis receives the care, attention, and support they need. 

Find Mental Health Stabilization At Ark Behavioral Health 

Ark Behavioral Health is proud to assist with mental health recovery through short-term residential treatment programs that offer leading, evidence-based treatment services. If you have recently experienced a significant loss or other major mental health event, or you are ready to work through other psychological challenges in a safe, supportive environment, please reach out to our team today. 

It is always more difficult to recover from a mental health crisis in an environment that is unsafe, unstable, or unsupportive. Even if you do have a good home environment, getting away may still give you a chance to focus on your recovery in a different way and to get the special care and attention you need. 

The trauma-informed treatment services at Bedrock Recovery Center in Canton, MA, and Ohio Recovery Center in Van Wert, OH, can address a wide variety of acute mental illnesses including anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, ADHD, OCD, schizophrenia, and more, as well as provide treatment for co-occurring substance use disorders (alcohol or drug addiction). Reach out today to learn more.