If you or someone you know has an immediate, life-threatening emergency, call 911. If the person is experiencing a mental health, suicide, drug or alcohol use crisis, you can contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 24/7 by calling or texting the number 988 or using their chat services at 988lifeline.org.

Being there for someone who's experiencing a mental health crisis can be hard. Maybe they've opened up to you about what they're going through. Or maybe you noticed warning signs on your own and you're concerned about them.

We'll share ways to show you're a safe person for them to talk to, as well as professional resources you can use in a crisis.

Show you're a safe support

In order for your friend or family member to feel comfortable sharing things with you, it's important that they feel understood and not judged. Here are some ways to let them know that you're a safe person to talk to, even about hard topics.

When they're sharing, maintain eye contact and engaged body language. This shows that they have your full attention.
Practice active listening. Summarize their thoughts back to them every now and then and ask thoughtful questions. (For example, you can say things like, "It sounds like you've been feeling this way for a long time. Have you ever talked to anyone about it before?")
When you're not sure what to say, remember that the most important thing is that you're there. If you can try to validate their feelings and respond with empathy, you're doing great.
Resist passing judgment or giving too much advice, which can be overwhelming or come across as critical. For people who are in crisis, mental health advice is best provided from a professional. But if you sense that they're in trouble, it's ok to gently recommend that they seek help.

If they're struggling with depression or emotional distress, don't be afraid to ask them directly whether they're having any thoughts of hurting themselves or others. If that’s the case, contact professional help right away. You’ll find a list of 24/7 crisis resources below.

Getting help: mental health crisis resources

There are a variety of resources available to you and your loved one. Learn more about them and how they can help.

24/7 free hotlines

If the situation with your loved one requires more support, don't hesitate to contact help. You don't need to do this on your own — there are trained professionals ready to assist.

988: Suicide and Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988 to connect with a trained counselor who's ready to help with issues related to mental health, drugs, alcohol and more.
National Domestic Violence Hotline – Call 800-799-SAFE (7233). You'll talk with highly-trained advocates who offer caring support, crisis intervention information and referral services.
National Sexual Assault Hotline – Call 800-656-HOPE (4673) to connect with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.
NAMI Crisis Text Line – Text NAMI to 741-741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor who will help you get to a calm, safe place.

Calling 911

If the situation is dangerous, call 911 to ask for immediate help. They can send the appropriate law enforcement or medical care professionals to you.

When you speak to the operator, tell them you're calling with a mental health emergency. If they know this, the operator can request officers with Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training. These officers are specially trained to recognize and de-escalate crisis situations involving someone with a mental illness.

It's important to stay with your loved one and help them remain as calm as possible. You, too, will want to try to keep calm. It may help your loved one feel safer. And staying level-headed will make it easier for you to talk to emergency workers when they arrive.

Going to the emergency room

If you've called for help, you and your loved one may be directed to go to the emergency room for an evaluation. There, a doctor can assess the situation, provide care or recommend the best next steps.

This is a time when your friend or family member could really use your support. Here are some of the ways you can provide critical help at the emergency room:

Pack a few things. You should leave for the ER quickly, but it can be helpful to pack some key things with you on your way. Pack any medications you or your loved one needs, a couple of water bottles, snacks, a phone charger, and maybe a book or something simple to do while you wait.
Help them get there. They will need help with transportation there, if you’re not going by ambulance. Give them a lift by driving them or go with them on public transportation so they're not alone. Ensure that they get there to receive the help they need.
Check in together. They may need your help explaining the crisis situation, listing medications they take, sharing health (and mental health) history and listing emergency contacts.
Wait with them. Stay by their side in the ER waiting room. It can be unnerving to wait at the hospital. The wait time can be long, and you're often among many others who aren't feeling well. This stress can be heightened for someone who's going through a crisis. So having you there for support will be a major comfort to them.

Warm Lines

Sometimes a person struggling with a mental health issue just wants to talk to someone else who's "been there". A warm line is designed to do just that. The person on the other end of the phone has gone through their own struggles with a mental health issue and is in recovery. They are trained and certified to offer support, a listening ear and hope.

Warm lines are not suicide hotlines. A suicide hotline is staffed with a professional who will, if needed, call an emergency team to the location from where the individual is calling. However, a warm line can and will transfer a call over to a suicide hotline if they determine the individual is suicidal.

Because there is no single comprehensive source for all warm lines in the country, the best way to find a local warm line is to use your internet browser and type in the term "warm line" and the name of your state.

Also, a list of many, but not all, warm lines can be found at http://www.warmline.org/

Mobile crisis teams

Mobile crisis teams are made up of mental health professionals who are specially trained to come to you and provide help during a crisis. Whether you're at home, school, work or somewhere else – they can meet you face-to-face to assess and help de-escalate the situation.

Mobile crisis teams often work closely with crisis hotlines, local police and hospital emergency personnel.

Additional services may include:

Stabilization for up to ten days
Rapid access to psychiatrists
Health care navigators
Mental health crisis beds
Referrals to community mental health providers
Helping loved ones and caregivers develop "crisis plans" to better prepare for future crises

Check if a mobile crisis team is available in your area. You may also want to verify the hours they're available. Many are accessible 24/7, but not all.

Emergency plan resources

If your loved one is not in the middle of a crisis and you want to learn more to prepare a potential emergency plan, the following resources may be helpful.

Suicide prevention strategies from the Centers for Disease Control
Suicide Prevention Education Program
NAMI: Navigating a mental health crisis guide

Additional resources

How to help a loved one with a mental health crisis