Mental health disorders are common in the United States, affecting tens of millions of Americans each year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Yet only a fraction of those people receive treatment. Without treatment, mental health disorders can reach a crisis point. Show
Some examples of mental health crises include depression, trauma, eating disorders, alcohol or substance abuse, self-injury and suicidal thoughts. If you suspect a friend or family member is experiencing an emotional crisis, your help can make a difference. Spotting the SignsOne of the most common signs of emotional crisis is a clear and abrupt change in behavior. Some examples include:
Sometimes, these changes happen suddenly and obviously. Events such as a natural disaster or the loss of a job can bring on a crisis in a short period of time. Often, though, behavior changes come about gradually. If something doesn't seem right with your loved one, think back over the past few weeks or months to consider signs of change. Don't wait to bring up your concerns. It's always better to intervene early, before your loved one's emotional distress becomes an emergency situation. If you have a feeling that something is wrong, you're probably right. Lend an EarIf you suspect your loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis, reaching out is the first step to providing the help he or she needs to get better. Sit down to talk in a supportive, non-judgmental way. You might start the conversation with a casual invitation: "Let's talk. You don't seem like yourself lately. Is there something going on?" Stay calm, and do more listening than talking. Show your loved one that you can be trusted to lend an ear and give support without passing judgment. When discussing your concerns, stick to the facts and try not to blame or criticize. Seek Professional HelpReaching out can help your friend or family member begin to get a handle on an emotional crisis. But professional help is the best way to fully address a mental health problem and get that problem under control. You can explain that psychologists have specialized training that makes them experts in understanding and treating complex emotional and behavioral problems. That training is especially critical when an emotional disorder has reached crisis levels. Psychologists use scientifically tested techniques that go beyond talking and listening. They can teach their clients tools and skills for dealing with problems, managing stress and working toward goals. To help your loved one find a psychologist to speak with, you might encourage your loved one to speak to his or her primary care provider about available mental health resources in your community. If your workplace has an employee assistance program (EAP), that can be a useful resource and referral service. You can also find a psychologist in your area by using APA's Psychologist Locator Service. Concerns About Suicide or Self-Harm or Threats to Harm OthersNo emotional crisis is more urgent than suicidal thoughts and behavior, or threats to harm someone else. If you suspect a loved one is considering self-harm or suicide, don't wait to intervene. It's a difficult topic to bring up, but discussing suicide will not put the idea in someone's head. In fact, it's not abnormal for a person to have briefly thought about suicide. It becomes abnormal when someone starts to see suicide as the only solution to his or her problems. If you discover or suspect that your loved one is dwelling on thoughts of self-harm, or developing a plan, it's an emergency. If possible, take him or her to the emergency room for urgent attention. Medical staff in the ER can help you deal with the crisis and keep your loved one safe. If you think someone is suicidal or will harm someone else, do not leave him or her alone. If he or she will not seek help or call 911, eliminate access to firearms or other potential tools for harm to self or others, including unsupervised access to medications. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is also a valuable resource. If you're concerned about a loved one's mental state or personal safety, and unable to take him or her to the emergency room, you can talk to a skilled counselor by calling 1-800-273-TALK. If you're concerned about a loved one, don't put it off. You can make the difference in helping your friend or family member get back on track to good mental health.
by Jackie Johnston
Imagine that you are a healthcare professional in charge of an outpatient clinic. A patient comes in for a routine procedure and the clinician performing the service was perceived to be invasive. The patient alleges that he or she was molested. What do you do first? Who do you call and how can you contain the situation? Ultra’s risk management partner, OmniSure Consulting Group, offers a helpline to counsel healthcare professionals for situations exactly like this. We asked the consultants who answer these types of calls how they would advise a clinic manager who faced this type of crisis scenario and here’s what they said: #1 Take care of the patient
#2 Investigate
#3 Report the incident to authorities and be prepared to talk to the media
#4 Follow up with the patient
#5 Take appropriate steps after the investigation
It’s not always possible to prevent these types of scenarios from happening but handling the situation properly can help reduce the risk of lawsuits and potential negative publicity. Having an expert available to offer guidance and put you in touch with needed resources can help get you get through the ordeal in the least disruptive way. Brokers, did you know Ultra has an exclusive program with binding authority for outpatient medical facilities? Learn more here: Ultra Health Express Follow Us: What would you do if someone you knew was having an emotional breakdown? Would you know how to help them? Understanding mental illness and how to support those you care about who have it could be life-saving. Reviewed by Preeti Parikh, MD Mental illness refers to a condition that affects an individual’s emotions and behaviors and causes disruption in their life. In the U.S., 1 in 5 adults experience a mental illness each year. A mental health crisis is when someone has an acute and potentially dangerous increase in the symptoms of their mental illness. The symptoms become so severe that the person may be unable to function in their daily life, and they may engage in self-destructive behaviors. In the most serious circumstances, the person may have suicidal thoughts or actions. If you are concerned that someone you care about is having a mental health crisis, learn how you can help them. What are the warning signs of a mental health crisis?Before a crisis occurs, you might see some warning signs in the person. The National Alliance on Mental Illness lists signs to watch for, including the following:
What triggers a mental health crisis?While not all mental health crises have clear triggers, many times an upsetting or stressful event can trigger a crisis. Such events include:
How can you help if someone you know is in a crisis?If someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, being present and non-judgmental can be helpful. Make it clear that you are there to listen to them and help them, and let them tell you how you can best support them. You can start a conversation with, “It seems like things have been difficult lately. How can I help?” or “If you ever feel like life is getting to be too much, I am here for you.” Here are some other ways that you can offer support:
When supporting someone, remember, their experience is unique to them. So there are things that you should also avoid saying or doing, such as:
For some people, faith-based communities provide an important source of support during crises. Both religious beliefs and a supportive faith-based community have been found to be helpful. If your loved one belongs to a particular faith, you can see if they’d be open to attending services and/or speaking to a spiritual leader. What do you need to know if someone is having an acute crisis?If someone is in an acute crisis, you might need to seek immediate help. You can help them contact their healthcare or mental health provider if necessary. Some people can become a danger to themselves or other people when in crisis. If you are worried about your loved one’s safety, you might need to contact emergency services, such as your local mental health crisis response team (CRT). Not all cities and towns have CRTs, but you can check with your local police department or mental health department to find out if your area has one. Call 911 if no response team is available. People who are experiencing thoughts of suicide can also contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). If possible, you should also remove anything that the person might use to harm themselves. Such items include:
Most importantly, you and other supportive people should stay with the person in crisis until appropriate help is available. The presence of supportive friends and family is critical. What if you are worried about someone who doesn’t want your help?Some people don’t readily accept help. They might not recognize that a problem exists or deny the severity of the problem. Their symptoms might even cause them to be angry or hostile towards those who are trying to help them. If they are in immediate danger of harming themselves or others, you might need to contact emergency services for them. If you don’t think that they are in immediate danger, continue encouraging them to seek professional help. Sometimes people recognize that they need help, but don’t know where to start. Suggest that they talk to their healthcare provider for recommendations. Remember, being a supportive listener can be incredibly helpful. What kind of treatment might someone in crisis receive?Making sure that the person in crisis is safe is the top priority. Getting help starts with making sure they are not at risk of harming themselves or someone else. Most people receive help in an outpatient setting. However, if someone is a danger to themselves or to other people, they may need more intensive care at a hospital. Here are some ways that someone in crisis might receive care:
Treatment often involves supportive family and friends, and social support can be a useful resource in helping people in crisis. This can include being available to listen when they need someone to talk to, helping them get to appointments, or attending appointments with them. What are some ways to prevent future crises?We can’t always prevent things that can trigger a mental health crisis. However, we can help our loved ones be better equipped to deal with crises when they occur. Recognize and manage symptomsOne thing you can do is learn about your friend or loved one’s condition and symptoms. You might be able to spot the emergence of symptoms before they do. Then you can support them and recommend that they get help if needed. You can also ask them about their triggers and help them be able to notice a trigger when it’s present. Encourage them to continue to receive treatmentAfter your loved one gets help for a crisis, suggest that they keep engaging in some form of treatment. It can also help them avoid or better deal with a crisis in the future. Some people see therapists, psychologists, or psychiatrists to help manage mental health conditions. They can be helpful in recognizing symptom changes, triggers, and the impacts of a crisis. They can also be useful in managing the impact of a crisis. If your loved one is seeing a professional for the first time, know that it can sometimes take awhile to find a provider who’s the right fit. So don’t let them get discouraged if it takes a few visits to find the best person. As mentioned above, medications are often helpful for managing mental health conditions, and if your loved one has been prescribed a medication, it’s important that they keep taking it. Sometimes, people don’t feel like their medication is helping or they don’t like how their medication makes them feel. If this is the case for your friend or loved one, encourage them to work with their healthcare provider to address problems or adjust the medication when necessary. If at all possible, they should talk to their healthcare or mental health provider first before making any changes to their medication. Some people have a hard time bringing up difficult topics to healthcare providers. You can support your friend or loved one in becoming their own healthcare advocate. In other words, you can help your friend or loved one speak up about their concerns and make sure that they are getting the care that is best for them. This might include helping them plan what to say or even attending appointments with them. Keep supporting themSupportive family and friends can help people with mental health conditions recognize their symptoms, spot triggers, and manage their symptoms in times of crisis. Social support alone has been found to protect against crises in times of stress. While mental health crises can be difficult, you can help your loved one get care when they need it and become better equipped to manage crises when they happen. Subscribe and save.Get prescription saving tips and more from GoodRx Health. Enter your email to sign up. By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx. |