Supporting a Friend or Loved One through a Mental Health Crisis

Mental health is a vital aspect of our well-being, but it can be affected by many factors, such as stress, trauma, loss, or change. Sometimes, these factors can trigger a mental health crisis, which is a situation where a person has difficulty coping with their emotions, thoughts, or behaviors.

A mental health crisis can take many forms, such as self-harm, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, or aggression. It can be scary and overwhelming for both the person experiencing it and their loved ones.

If you have a friend or family member who is going through a mental health crisis, you may wonder how you can help them. Here are some tips to guide you:

1. Stay calm and, most importantly, compassionate

A mental health crisis can make a person feel isolated, misunderstood, or hopeless. In fact, that can be true whether you are the one experiencing the crisis, but also if you are the person supporting a person who is in crisis.  Whenever there is crisis, there is a need for support and empathy, not judgment or criticism.

Try to avoid reacting with anger, fear, or frustration. Instead, speak in a calm and gentle tone, and use reassuring words and gestures. For example, you can say things like:

– “I’m here for you.”
– “You’re not alone.”
– “I care about you.”
– “You’re important to me.”

2. Listen and validate

The next thing you need to do is to listen and validate. A mental health crisis can make a person feel confused, overwhelmed, or irrational. They may have difficulty expressing themselves or making sense of their situation. Sometimes, a person’s ability to fully perceive their situation, think logically, and even behave in ways that are consistent with their personality and values may become compromised.

Your role is not to fix their problems or give them advice. Your role is to listen to them and validate their feelings. This means acknowledging and accepting what they are going through, without minimizing or dismissing it.

You can use active listening techniques, such as:

– Asking open-ended questions
– Reflecting back what they say
– Summarizing their main points
– Clarifying any misunderstandings

You can also use validating statements, such as:

– “I understand that you feel [scared, sad, hurt, lost, etc.”
– “That sounds really hard.”
– “It’s okay to feel this way.”
– “You have every right to be upset.”

3. Help them connect with crisis support

The third thing you need to do is to help them connect with crisis support. A mental health crisis can be a life-threatening situation that requires immediate professional help. You are not expected to handle it on your own.

There are many resources available for people in crisis, such as:

– The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline), which offers 24/7 phone, text, and chat services for people who are suicidal or in distress¹.
– The Crisis Text Line, which provides 24/7 text support for people who are experiencing any kind of crisis².
– Local mental health services, such as hospitals, clinics, or hotlines that offer emergency care or referrals for people in crisis.  Many cities with large hospitals offer mobile crisis units, which are kind of like a mental health ambulance. They will arrive on-site to offer support and connect people to important resources.

You can help your loved one access these resources by:

– Asking them if they are willing to contact them
– Offering to contact them on their behalf
– Staying with them until they get connected
– Following up with them after they get help

4. Know when to get emergency medical assistance

The last thing you need to do is to know when to get emergency medical assistance. A mental health crisis can sometimes escalate into a situation where a person poses a serious risk of harm to themselves or others.

Some signs that indicate a need for emergency medical assistance are:

– The person has a plan, means, or intent to kill themselves or someone else
– The person has attempted suicide or harmed themselves or someone else
– The person is experiencing severe symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations, delusions, or paranoia
– The person is unable to care for themselves or function normally

If you notice any of these signs, do not hesitate to call 911 or take your loved one to the nearest emergency room. You may also need to contact the police if the person is violent or uncooperative.

Conclusion

A mental health crisis can be a challenging and stressful experience for both the person going through it and their loved ones.

Remember that you are not alone in this journey. There are many people and organizations that can support you and your loved one during this difficult time. Don’t forget that they’re not the only one who can benefit from support. Often, it can be very beneficial to seek out assistance from a counselor to process the trauma that can accompany offering support to a person who is in crisis.

You are doing the best you can for your loved one. You are making a difference in their life.