Crisis Situations: What to Do When a Loved One is in a Mental Health Crisis

Author:

Hayley Snelling

B.S. Psychology

Editor:

Emma Loker

B.S

What would you do if someone you love was in the middle of a mental health crisis? Would you know what to say, how to help them, or where to turn for support? It can feel daunting and scary to hear your loved one struggling so much and not knowing what to do, but your help in that moment – what you say and do – can make a massive difference.

Mental health crises can build up over time or they can seem to have come out of the blue. Whether it’s a panic attack, psychosis, depression, or suicidal thoughts, knowing how to handle a mental health crisis and provide support at that moment is crucial. Knowing what signs to look for, how to help, and where to seek support can save lives.

On this page, you’ll discover what a mental health crisis is, how to recognize the signs, how to de-escalate a mental health crisis, and where to find professional help for that person. By being prepared, you can help your loved one with confidence and kindness when they need your help the most.

What Does Mental Health Crisis Mean?

A mental health crisis, or psychiatric crisis, is when someone feels they are at breaking point and need help urgently. This may be when someone is feeling suicidal, self-harming, having a psychotic episode (hearing voices, seeing things, or feeling extremely paranoid), or having panic attacks. It might have been brought on by stress, grief, financial problems, abuse, or relationship breakdowns, or there may not be a specific trigger for suddenly feeling like this.¹

It can happen to people with a previous diagnosis of mental health issues, or to someone with no history of this whatsoever. When thoughts or feelings become so overwhelming that you or others might be at risk of harm, urgent help is needed. Being able to recognize the signs of a mental health crisis and knowing what to do during a psychiatric crisis can be the key to helping your loved one through this scary time.

There may be some signs of a mental health crisis beginning, such as:²

Isolating themselves
Big changes in their mood such as being very angry all of a sudden or very anxious or sad
Neglecting their personal hygiene
Severe changes in their sleep patterns (staying awake all night or oversleeping during the day)

Mental health crisis intervention is vital for keeping your loved one safe and for helping them get the support they need to recover.

Steps to Take in a Mental Health Crisis

Now that you know what a psychiatric crisis is, and some of the signs to look out for, let’s look at some of the steps that you can take when supporting a loved one in a mental health crisis:^3,4,5

Step 1 - Find a Safe Space

Being in crisis can feel overwhelming and chaotic for both your loved one and yourself, so helping them to find somewhere quiet and safe can make a big difference from the very start. If they’re in a busy and loud area, find somewhere more peaceful for them to sit down, even if it’s just an out-of-the-way corner for now. Help them to make themselves feel as comfortable as they can. If they are a possible risk to themselves, remove anything that could be dangerous, and stay with them.

Step 2 - Talk Honestly

The immediate response for a lot of people is to try and ‘fix’ their loved one, but what often makes the biggest impact is listening and talking with them. When responding to a loved one’s mental health emergency let them talk honestly about what they are feeling and thinking, and listen patiently to them.

Be empathic, calm, and compassionate. Don’t dismiss their feelings or worries. Sometimes, talking and being heard is what is needed to help a person start to calm down. It may feel difficult, but remaining calm throughout the crisis situation will be helpful.⁶

Step 3 - Assess the Urgency

If your loved one seems to be in immediate danger – such as having thoughts and intentions of suicide or severe self-harm – urgent medical attention is needed. If you can, take them to A&E or call emergency services for help. Stay with them until help arrives, and if you can, go with them so that they will have a friendly face with them at this overwhelming time, rather than being surrounded by strangers.

Step 4 - Seek Medical Support

If this isn’t a life-threatening situation that requires emergency care, it is still a good idea to seek medical support. Encourage them to book an emergency appointment with their doctor, or to contact a crisis service. You can offer to make the call for them if they don’t feel able to, or to attend appointments with them if it will make it easier for them to get the support and help they need.

Step 5 - Distract and Refocus

In times of need, a distraction can be a useful way to manage difficult emotions and help bring distress down. Encourage your loved one to do something that might feel calming or comforting, such as a breathing exercise, picking up a hobby they love, or going out for a walk together for fresh air. Doing something distracting can help bring some short-term relief from the intense and overwhelming feelings they are experiencing and may help them feel a little more in control.

Step 6 - Find Mental Health Support

If someone reaches a crisis point, it can often mean there is something painful underneath that needs resolving. When they are feeling calmer, you could gently encourage them to look at professional mental health support, whether that is residential treatment, individual therapy, or support groups.

Residential treatment can be a great resource for someone who is really struggling, as it offers the chance for intensive support and recovery outside of a hospital environment. Seeking out help for mental health is a sign of self-awareness and strength, it takes courage to ask for the help you need.

Step 7 - Look After Yourself

This final step is very important – you must look after yourself too. Supporting a loved one through a crisis can be emotionally exhausting and overwhelming, so it’s vital for you to look after yourself. Make sure you have support available to you afterward, people you can talk to about what has happened.

You may have heard of phrases like ‘you can’t pour from an empty cup’, or ‘you have to put on your own oxygen mask before helping others’, which both apply here. You need to look after yourself, otherwise, you won’t be able to help other people around you. Your needs matter, so make sure to top up on your self-care, you deserve it!

What to Do if Someone Is Suicidal

What can you do if you are worried that someone you love may be thinking of ending their life? Well, it’s important to know the signs to look out for when someone does feel suicidal. Once you know these signs, you can do something to help them. Keep reading to find out more.

Recognizing the Signs

There are certain signs to look out for if you think someone you love is feeling suicidal, such as they:^7,8

Talk about killing themself
Don’t see the point in living
Feels like a burden to others
Feel an unbearable pain or as though they are trapped
Use more alcohol or drugs than usual
Isolate themself from friends and family
Calling people to say goodbye
Feeling angry, depressed, or anxious
Looking at ways to end their life
A sudden feeling of relief and mood improvement
Trouble eating or sleeping
Loses interest in school, work, or hobbies
Gives away prized possessions
Takes unnecessary risks

What You Can Do

If you recognize these signs, you might wonder if there’s anything you can do to help them when they feel like this. The good news is that there are definitely things you can say and do in this situation.⁹

Talk to Them: Talk to them in private and let them know you care. Some people worry that talking to someone about suicide will make things worse, but you’ll soon be able to tell if someone doesn’t want to have that type of conversation. If they don’t want to talk, you can still let them know you are there for them, no matter what.^10,11
Ask Calmly and Directly About Suicide: If you’re struggling to think how to approach the conversation, you could start with something like “I’ve noticed that recently you seem (down/angry/you’ve been giving away some of the things you love, etc…). Are you having thoughts of suicide?” Ask without judgment and listen to what they say.
Let Them Talk Honestly: This might be the first time they’ve talked about how they feel, so don’t try to rush them, they may still be trying to find the right words. Give them your full attention and focus.
Let Them Know That Their Life Matter to You: You could say something like “I would miss you terribly”, or “My life would be less full without you”.
Take Them Seriously: If someone is thinking about suicide and ending their life, they are in a life-threatening crisis and may not be thinking clearly.
Keep Them Safe: Work with them to keep them safe from things that may cause harm, like drugs, knives, etc, and remind them that their current struggle is a temporary feeling that can change. Stay with them and encourage them to seek help, such as going to the emergency department or calling for professional help.

What You Should Avoid

Likewise, there are some things you shouldn’t say or do when trying to help someone who is feeling suicidal:¹¹

Don’t Dismiss Their Feelings or Worries: Don’t say things like “Get over it.” Suicidal thoughts or depression are not simple things to get over, they are medical conditions.
Don’t Say “I Know How You Feel”: Even if you’ve been depressed or suicidal, everyone is different and it’s highly unlikely you know exactly how this person feels.
Don’t Say “Other People Have It Worse” – this can make them feel like their sadness and pain don’t matter.
Don’t Ignore the Warning Signs – always take the signs seriously. Don’t assume someone else will check in on them.

Crisis Hotline for Mental Health Emergencies

Here are some of the main crisis hotlines in the US that can provide mental health emergency support to someone during a crisis:

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – A 24-hour confidential support available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Call or text 988 to connect with a trained counselor,

Veterans Crisis Line – A 24-hour confidential resource available to all veterans and those who support them. Call 988, then press “1”, or text 838255.

Disaster Distress Helpline – A 24-hour confidential helpline for people experiencing distress due to any natural or human-caused disaster. Call or text 1-800-985-5990.

Get Mental Health Support Today

Supporting a loved one through a mental health crisis can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone – we are here to help. We can provide professional help to support your loved one through their crisis and meet their needs.

At Mission Connection, we understand how difficult this time can be. That’s why we offer compassionate and professional care and support with a flexible schedule, and a range of payment options – because getting the help you need should always be an available option.

Our friendly team is ready to listen to you, offer guidance and support, and help you and your loved one on the road to recovery and healing. Contact us now to take the first step towards feeling better.

References

Mind. (n.d.). Mental health crisis services. https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/crisis-services/
APA. (2013, November 10). How to help in an emotional crisis. https://www.apa.org/topics/mental-health/help-emotional-crisis
Carers First. (n.d.). How to support someone going through a crisis with their mental health.https://www.carersfirst.org.uk/caring-for-someone-with/mental-health-help-someone-going-through-a-crisis/
Mind. (n.d.) How to help someone seek mental health support. https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/helping-someone-else-seek-help/
Psychiatry. (n.d.). Helping a Loved One Cope with Mental Illness. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/helping-a-loved-one-cope-with-mental-illness
Mind. (n.d.). How to help someone with suicidal feelings. https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helping-someone-else/supporting-someone-who-feels-suicidal/how-to-help/
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. (2024, August 9). Risk factors, protective factors, and warning signs. https://afsp.org/risk-factors-protective-factors-and-warning-signs/
APA. (2024, February 13). Suicide warning signs. https://www.apa.org/topics/suicide/signs
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. (2023, January 4). What to do when someone is at risk. https://afsp.org/what-to-do-when-someone-is-at-risk/
Samaritans. (n.d.). What to do if you think someone is struggling. https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/if-youre-worried-about-someone-else/how-support-someone-youre-worried-about/what-do-if-you-think-someone-struggling/
Support and Safety. (n.d.). 5 Dos and don’ts – support and safety assessment. https://supportandsafety.colostate.edu/tell-someone/5-dos-and-donts/