Supporting Someone with a Mental Health Crisis
Author: Dr. Vrolijk | Updated: August 23, 2025 | Disclaimer | Review Process | References
Worried about someone you love? Scared you might say or do the wrong thing? Trying to figure out if this is a real emergency or if you have time to get help first?
This page helps you recognize when someone needs help, when to call 911, and what to do to keep you both safe.
Are you worried that you’re in crisis? Call 988 for suicide/crisis support or 911 for emergencies. Visit our Getting Help for a Mental Health Crisis page to learn more.
On This Page:
Get Help Right Now
Call 988 • Text 988 • Chat 988 • Call 911 • Go to Emergency Room
More Free, Confidential Hotlines
Trevor Project (Ages 13 – 24)
- Call 866-488-7386
- Text “start” to 678678
- Chat online at TrevorProject.org
Trans Lifeline
- Call 877-565-8860 in the US
- Call 877-330-6366 in Canada
- Website: Trans Lifeline
LGBT National Lifeline
- Call 888-843-4564
- Coming out support line 888-688-5428
- Youth talkline 800-246-7743
- Senior hotline 888-234-7243
- Hours:
- Mon-Fri 2pm-11pm ET
- Sat 12-5pm ET
National Domestic Violence Hotline
- Call 800-799-SAFE (7233)
- Text “start” to 88788
- Chat online at theHotline.org
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
- Call 800-656-HOPE
- Text “hope” to 64673
- Chat online at rainn.org
- Message on WhatsApp
Veterans Crisis Line
- Call 988 then press 1
- Text 838255
- Chat online VeteransCrisisLine.net
Recognizing a Mental Health Crisis
A mental health crisis is when someone’s actions or what they are about to do might:
- Hurt themselves
- Hurt someone else
- Make it hard to take care of their basic needs like drinking water or eating
Warning Signs Include
- Talking about wanting to die or hurt themselves
- Extreme mood changes
- Withdrawing from friends and activities
- Changes in sleeping or eating habits
- Difficulty functioning in daily activities
- Increased use of alcohol or drugs
- Giving away possessions
- Saying goodbye to people
- Or any other concerning changes in behavior
What to Do in a Crisis
Ask Yourself:
1. Call Emergency Services
- Call 911 and specify it’s a mental health crisis
- Ask for someone trained in mental health crisis response if available
- Tell them if weapons are involved
- Explain your relationship to the person
2. Focus on Safety
- Remove access to anything that could be used for self-harm
- Keep yourself safe – don’t put yourself in danger
- Clear the area of other people who might be at risk
3. While Waiting for Help
- Give the person physical space
- Use short sentences and simple instructions
- Avoid threatening or confrontational language
- Stay with them if it’s safe to do so
4. When Help Arrives
Don’t worry if you can’t remember everything. Emergency responders are trained to ask the right questions.
If you do remember, use the WHAT acronym:
- What happened that made you worried enough to call 911
- Health problems (head injuries, infections, or other medical conditions can sometimes cause mental health symptoms)
- Any medicines or drugs they took, and any weapons they might have
- Tell them about communication differences they need to know about (hard of hearing, autistic, etc.)
You can also ask where they’re going. If you don’t have a car and want to go with them, you can ask about riding to the hospital with them.
When the situation is concerning but not an emergency.
1. Reach Out for Help
- Call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) or one of the other hotlines
- Contact your county’s mental health crisis unit (if available)
- Call the person’s mental health provider if they have one
2. Stay with them while getting help
- Offer to sit with them or go in the other room while they talk to a hotline
- Help them make appointments if needed
- Offer to drive them if they need the emergency room
3. Offer other support
- Ask what’s helped in the past during difficult times
- Offer to make or order food
- Help with immediate tasks (walking the dog, picking up kids, etc.)
- Stay nearby if they don’t want to be alone
- Help them contact close friends or family if they want
- Offer to help them get comfortable (blanket, water, etc.)
Tips for Communicating
- Stay calm and speak in a clear, simple manner
- Ask direct questions about their immediate needs
- Use short sentences and simple words
- Give the person physical space
- Ask before touching them
- Avoid threatening or criticizing
- Remove yourself if you feel unsafe
What to Read Next
All of Our Pages on Mental Health
Resources We Used
Clinical experience from multiple clinicians
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