How to Get Through a Mental Health Crisis Safely

If you might hurt yourself or someone else, have taken an overdose, or cannot stay safe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department; in the U.S., you can also call or text 988 for crisis support. Move away from anything you could use to hurt yourself, and ask a trusted person to stay with you or remain on the phone while you get help. You do not need to explain everything before asking for immediate support.

If you are safe right now but feel overwhelmed, put both feet on the floor, breathe at a comfortable pace, and name a few things you can see and hear. The goal is not to force the feeling away; it is to get through one manageable moment. Drink some water, sit somewhere quieter if you can, and postpone major decisions until you have support.

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Contact a friend, family member, therapist, doctor, or crisis counselor and be direct: “I’m in a mental health crisis, and I need you to stay with me or help me get care.” If talking feels too hard, send that sentence as a text and add your location, especially if you need someone to come to you. If the first person cannot help, reach out to someone else or contact 988 in the U.S.; you deserve support even if finding it takes more than one try.

Once you are safe, arrange follow-up care and write down what helped, what made things harder, and whom you can contact if the crisis returns. Basic household tasks can wait while you focus on rest and support. When you are ready, our Mental Health-Friendly Cleaning Checklist is a digital download you can use to think through cleaning on a low-energy day, not a substitute for crisis care.