How to Help Someone Going Through a Mental Health Crisis
How to Help Someone Going Through a Mental Health Crisis
You might think that you are unable to help a friend or family member who is experiencing a mental health crisis, but there are a number of things you can do to help somebody suffering from this problem. Below are a number of steps and strategies you can take to provide help to someone going through a mental health crisis.
The Action Plan
Mental Health First Aid teaches a five-step action plan, ALGEE, for individuals to provide help to someone who may be in crisis.
- Assess for risk of suicide or harm
- Listen nonjudgmentally
- Give reassurance and information
- Encourage appropriate professional help
- Encourage self-help and other support strategies
Assess for Risk of Suicide or Harm:
When helping a person going through a mental health crisis, it is important look for signs of suicidal thoughts and behaviors and/or non-suicidal self-injury.
Some Warning Signs of Suicide Include:
- Threatening to hurt or kill oneself
- Seeking access to means to hurt or kill oneself
- Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide
- Feeling Hopeless
- Acting Recklessly or engaging in risky activities
- Increased use of alcohol or drugs
- Withdrawing from family, friends, or society
- Appearing agitated or angry
- Having a dramatic change in mood
Always seek emergency medical help if the person's life is in immediate danger. If you have reason to believe someone may be actively suicidal, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Listening Nonjudgmentally
It may seem simple, but the ability to listen and have a meaningful conversation with an individual requires skill and patience. It is important to make an individual feel respected, accepted, and understood. Mental Health First Aid teaches individuals to use a set of verbal and nonverbal skills to engage in appropriate conversation -such as open body posture, comfortable eye contact and other listening strategies.
Give Reassurance and Information
It is important for individuals to recognize that mental illnesses are real, treatable illnesses from which people can and do recover. When having a conversation with someone whom you believe may be experiencing symptoms of a mental illness, it is important to approach the conversation with respect and dignity for that individual and to not blame the individual for his or her symptoms.
Mental Health First Aid teaches you helpful information and resources you can offer to someone to provide consistent emotional support and practical help.
Encourage Appropriate Professional Help
There are a variety of mental health and substance use professionals who can offer help when someone is in crisis or may be experiencing the signs of symptoms of a mental illness.
-Types of Professionals
Doctors (primary care physicians or psychiatrists)
Social workers, counselors, and other mental health
professionals
Certified peer specialists
-Types of Professional Help
"Talk" therapies
Medication
Other professional supports
Encourage Self-Help and Other Support Strategies
There are many ways individuals who may be experiencing symptoms of a mental illness can contribute to their own recovery and wellness.
These strategies may include:
- Exercise
- Relaxation and Meditation
- Participating in peer support groups
- Self-help books based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Engaging with family, friends, faith, and other social networks
With this information and these strategies in mind, you will be well-equipped to help a friend or family member going through a mental health crisis. It is important to be patient and understanding, but most of all, it is important that you are there for this person in any way needed.
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