A mental health crisis can occur at any time. It can leave you, your loved one, and those who witness them feeling helpless, lost, confused, and concerned. Mental health crises may appear in various forms, from sudden emotional meltdowns to suicidal thoughts to overwhelming feelings of anxiety and panic. Regardless of the situation, learning how to help someone in a mental health crisis is an essential skill for everyone. Fortunately, by recognizing the signs, knowing what steps to take, and connecting your loved one to professional treatment, you can provide the care and support they need.
At Excel Behavioral Health, our goal is to empower individuals and families during times of need and show them how to help someone in a mental health crisis. We offer practical, effective strategies to help them overcome the issues they face, along with compassionate care tailored to their individual needs. In this blog, we’ll discuss the various signs of a mental health crisis, how you can help, trusted crisis centers in New Jersey, and other NJ mental health resources you can turn to when facing these situations.
Signs of a Mental Health Crisis
If you can spot the early signs of a mental health crisis, it’s easier to take care of the situation before it escalates and results in further issues. It’s important to remember that mental health problems affect everyone differently, and not everyone will show the same symptoms. However, here are some of the most common warning signs of a mental health crisis:
Emotional Signs
- Intense feelings of sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, or anger.
- Emotional outbursts or mood swings that seem out of proportion or irrational.
- Social withdrawal from friends, family, or activities that the person used to enjoy.
Behavioral Signs
- Sudden changes in sleeping or eating patterns.
- Problems concentrating, remembering things, or making decisions.
- Impulsive, risky, or self-destructive behavior, such as substance abuse, reckless driving, or extreme aggression.
Physical Signs
- Frequent complaints of unexplained pain or fatigue.
- Neglect of personal hygiene or appearance.
- Restlessness or lethargy.
Warning Signs of Suicide
- Expressing a desire to die or talking about plans to harm oneself.
- Giving away possessions or saying goodbye to friends and family.
- Expressing feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or helplessness.
- Increased use of alcohol or drugs as a way to cope with emotional pain.
If you notice any of the above signs in your loved one, or if they share them with you, it’s important to take action. Mental health crises are situations that often require immediate care, and ignoring the symptoms could potentially cause them to spiral out of control.
How to Help Someone in a Mental Health Crisis
The most important thing when someone is in an emotional crisis is to stay calm and offer immediate support. The following are some of the steps you can take if you need to help someone in a mental health crisis:
1. Stay Calm and Offer Empathy
In a crisis, people often feel out of control of their emotions, and it’s important to make them feel understood and reassured. Try to approach them in a non-threatening way and offer a listening ear. Let the person know you’re there for them, using nonjudgmental, empathetic language. Avoid using dismissive phrases such as “It’s not a big deal” or “Just calm down,” and instead try validating their feelings by saying something along the lines of, “I can see that you’re upset, and I’m here to help.”
2. Keep Them Safe
When helping someone who’s in a crisis, make sure they are in a safe environment and protected from any harm. If you believe that the person is at risk of hurting themselves or others, do not leave them alone. If possible, remove all weapons, sharp objects, or any other potentially harmful substances from the area. You can also remove any items that the person could use to hurt themselves, such as belts or medications. If you notice the situation is escalating beyond your control, contact emergency services or a New Jersey crisis center for immediate assistance.
3. Encourage Them to Communicate
In times of distress, some people have a hard time pinpointing the cause of their problems or expressing the way they feel. By gently encouraging the person to speak, you can get a better understanding of the situation and what’s bothering them. Try using open-ended questions to help them open up to you, such as “Can you tell me what’s wrong?” or “What do you need from me right now?” You can also provide support by actively listening and showing that you care about what they have to say.
4. Don’t Rush to Solve the Problem
It can be tempting to immediately come up with a solution to the other person’s problem. However, this might make them feel like you’re not listening or trying to understand them. The most important thing in this situation is to actively listen to what the person has to say and to validate their emotions. If the person makes it clear that they’re willing to come up with a plan and solve the problem together, you can then gently offer your solutions.
5. Connect Them to Professional Help
While your support is necessary, it’s also important to know when to reach out to a trained professional. In many cases, your loved one will need to be connected to an outside resource for the care and treatment they need to recover. By helping them reach out to trusted resources, such as crisis centers in New Jersey, counseling services, and NJ mental health resources, they will have access to the tools, therapy, and treatment they need to recover. If possible, offer to help your loved one schedule an appointment or find a time to see a provider. You can also offer to sit with them during the appointment or contact the care provider on their behalf.
6. Call 911 in Emergencies
In a severe mental health crisis where someone is at risk of immediately harming themselves or others, don’t be afraid to call 911. Be sure to let the person know that you’re calling for their safety and inform the operator of the situation. If possible, provide information about the person’s behavior to ensure the responders are aware of the situation.
How Excel Behavioral Health Provides Support During a Mental Health Crisis
At Excel Behavioral Health, we know that a mental health crisis can be one of the most challenging and emotionally taxing experiences for both the person in need of help and their loved ones. That’s why we provide compassionate and understanding care and offer a range of evidence-based treatment options for people to get them through life’s most challenging moments, such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and other mental health disorders. Whether you or a loved one needs a crisis center in New Jersey, mental health resources, or long-term support, we’re here to help.
We offer everything from one-on-one therapy sessions and support groups to psychiatric services and more. If you’re seeking crisis intervention or long-term care, you can count on our team at Excel Behavioral Health to empower your loved one to regain their lives with confidence and a new lease on life. We have the tools and experience you need for practical solutions to help people with mental health struggles, including for children.
Make the Call to Support Your Loved One Today
If you’re facing a mental health crisis or your loved one is, don’t hesitate to seek help. The earlier a mental health problem is identified and treated, the less it can lead to further emotional damage. At Excel Behavioral Health, we’re here to help families and individuals with compassionate care when they need it most.
Contact us today to find out more about our mental health treatment in NJ and what we can do to help your loved one in a mental health crisis. We offer crisis intervention, therapy sessions, and more for individuals and families. Don’t wait, reach out now to take the first step toward supporting your loved one.
