Mental health emergencies can happen to anyone at any time. A mental health emergency can be a frightening and isolating experience, but it is essential to remember that you are not alone. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, taking action and getting help as soon as possible is crucial. Here you’ll find information on signs of a mental health emergency. It is important for everyone to know how to respond when someone experiences symptoms..
What is a Mental Health Emergency?
A mental health crisis happens when a person’s mental state prevents them from handling or adjusting to life’s daily challenges. Even while a crisis is not life-threatening, it can be frustrating. While experiencing a mental health emergency, an individual may threaten immediate harm to self or others, be out of touch with reality, or be generally out of control. (New Vista)
Signs to Look For
Rarely does someone suddenly change from being in excellent physical condition to being very ill. It holds for mental wellness as well. The symptoms of a mental health crisis should not be ignored. Some signs to look out for are:
- Slacking off on personal upkeep. The person can appear unable or reluctant to brush their teeth or hair, put on clean clothes, or take a bath.
- Rapid mood changes. One second they can be at a 10+ energy level. The next, they are at a -1. Rapid transition from ecstatic to melancholy and introverted.
- Easily or frequently upset. This could involve making verbal threats, causing property damage, or engaging in violent or erratic behavior.
- Abusive behavior toward oneself and others. Substance abuse and self-harm, such as cutting, are included.
- Isolating from family, friends, work, and school
- Being disconnected from their surroundings. They may have unclear thoughts or concepts. They could feel alienated from themselves or feel like they are someone else, be unable to understand others, or both. Possible hallucinations can also occur.
- Paranoia, which includes unfounded suspicion and mistrust of other people or their behavior.
(New Vista)
How to Plan for Mental Health Emergency
Seek help now if you or someone you love is going through a mental health crisis. Call 911 to report a mental health emergency, so that the proper mental health crisis intervention services may be sent. Adequately describe the scenario and be prepared to offer detailed information.
You can also call various helplines. A crisis line connects callers to a qualified crisis counselor who may assess the caller’s level of risk to themselves or others and decide whether the situation necessitates immediate on-the-spot assistance. If necessary, a mental health expert (not a police officer) will arrive to assist with the situation, defuse the crisis, and provide the person experiencing it with treatment options. Crisis hotlines are often open every day of the week, round-the-clock. You can find resources in Texas here – https://www.herefortexas.com/get-help-now.
(Here For Texas)
What is L.E.A.P?
In his book, I Am Not Sick, I Don’t Need Help, Dr. Xavier Amador describes a communication technique (L.E.A.P.) that can engage your loved one and promote calmness. L.E.A.P stands for Listen, Empathize, Agree, and Form a Partnership. It is a variation of motivational enhancement therapy that is appropriate for families. These tactics will be simpler to employ in a crisis if practiced beforehand. (Healthpartners)
If you or someone you love is in crisis, don’t hesitate to seek help. Trained professionals can provide referrals to resources in your community and offer support and guidance through the crisis. Call 911 immediately in the case of an emergency for professional help.
Works Cited
“Recognizing a Mental Health Crisis.” Recognizing a Mental Health Crisis | New Vista, newvista.org/blog/recognizing-mental-health-crisis.
“Get Help Now.” Here For Texas, www.herefortexas.com/get-help-now.
Mental Health Crisis Planning – Healthpartners. www.healthpartners.com/ucm/groups/public/@hp/@public/documents/documents/entry_194822.pdf.