All Blogs
>
Mental Health

What to Do in a Mental Health Crisis: Steps to Get Support Right Now

Calendar Icon
Published on

June 23, 2025

Share this article

How to Recognize a Mental Health Crisis

How to handle a mental health emergency will vary depending on the individual and their circumstance. 

A mental health crisis can involve one or more of several behaviors and experiences.

Common signs of a mental health crisis include: 

  • Being a danger to the safety of oneself or others, such as having thoughts of death, suicide, or homicide 
  • Psychosis- seeing, hearing, or feeling things others cannot
  • Self-harm thoughts or actions 
  • Feeling disorientated
  • Panic attacks, or severe anxiety that includes physical symptoms
  • Being aggressive towards others or property
  • Substance use intoxication and withdrawal

If you or a loved one is wondering when to get immediate mental health support, some warning signs to look out for include: 

  • Having a plan for how they would carry out suicide or homicide
  • Seeking out lethal means or methods to use for suicide.
  • If the person’s mental health symptoms are unmanageable and they are unable to stay safe on their own
  • If substance use is putting one’s health at risk due to using too much, withdrawal symptoms, or being at risk of harming oneself or others due to being impaired

Even if someone seems calm or says their problems “aren’t that bad,” they may still be in crisis and need support. Some more subtle but still concerning signs to watch out for include:

  • Changes in behavior, mood, and energy level
  • Eating or sleeping more than usual or less than normal
  • Not attending to activities of daily living, for example not showering, eating, getting or out of bed
  • Telling people goodbye, giving away possessions, or making a will
  • Feelings of hopelessness, guilt, shame, or being a burden to others
  • Risky behaviors, such as driving unsafely or increased substance use
  • Isolating oneself from others

Immediate Steps You Can Take

It can feel overwhelming to experience a mental health crisis or know someone who is. There are things you can do to help.

Ask

If you are seeing any signs someone is in distress, directly ask them, “Are you having any thoughts about suicide?” Being direct is the best way to identify if someone is at risk of suicide and in need of support. Rest assured, this doesn’t “put the idea in someone’s head,” it may, in fact, save their life.

Asking how you can support someone in crisis. If you are experiencing a crisis, asking for help is a sign of strength and the first step toward positive change.

Be Aware

One of the most important ways to help someone else experiencing a mental health crisis is to know when to escalate the level of support and contact emergency services. 

  • If someone is an active danger to themselves or others, contact your local emergency services (i.e., calling 911) or go to your nearest emergency room or crisis unit.
  • If you’re unsure what to do, it’s better to be safe than sorry. You can call 988 to reach a trained crisis counselor who can help you decide the best course of action.

Ensure Safety

Staying safe is the most important thing if you or others are experiencing a crisis. This can include removing objects such as medications and firearms from the environment. Stay with the person in crisis and ensure they aren’t left alone.

Stay Calm, Present, and Focused

Taking a moment to pause and use calming techniques can help you make better decisions and get through tough moments. 

  • Try deep, slow breathing from your belly.
  • The grounding technique can also be helpful. This involves being mindful of what you are experiencing through your five senses of sight, touch, smell, taste, and sound. 
  • Try to remain nonjudgmental and to focus on listening and understanding what the other person is experiencing. 
  • Keep it simple; avoid using confusing or overcomplicated language. 

Be a Bridge

Support the person by helping them connect to crisis support and services, or by reaching out to their social support system, such as a family member or trusted friend. 

Who to Call or Contact During a Mental Health Crisis

For those seeking mental health crisis help, there are local and national resources available. 

  • The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988, or chatting on their website (988lifeline.org).
  • Call emergency services (911) if danger is imminent.
  • Willow Health’s virtual crisis support offers same-day or next-day appointments with both a therapist and a medication provider, ensuring you receive the care you need when you need it.

When to Seek Virtual Crisis Support

Virtual crisis support can be a more immediate and accessible resource than traditional offerings. 

  • A virtual clinic like Willow Health is best suited for people who are experiencing a mental health crisis that may get worse without support. 
  • The benefits of the programs offered at Willow Health include quick access to professional support from the privacy of your own home, as well as no long wait times at the emergency room.
  • During your initial visits, you’ll meet with a licensed therapist, a psychiatrist or a psychiatric nurse practitioner for an assessment. They will go over what you are experiencing and offer tailored treatment plan recommendations. 
  • Confidentiality and compassionate care are our priority. 

What Happens After the Crisis

Ongoing support for people who have experienced a mental health crisis is vital for long-term recovery. There are several ongoing support options, including:

  • Outpatient mental health appointments for therapy, medication, and safety planning.
  • Willow Health can help support long-term care by offering treatment that specifically addresses mental health crises. Our care manager ensures that patients are set up with long-term outpatient services once they have completed our program.
  • Find support in your community, for example, through the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and other peer recovery groups such as SMART Recovery and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
  • If you know someone who has experienced a mental health crisis, be consistent afterwards. People who experience a mental health crisis need ongoing support. Following up and checking in on them after the crisis has passed shows you really care about them and their well-being.

Sources & Resources