Seeing someone you care about experience a mental health crisis can be frightening. You may worry about saying the wrong thing, making the situation worse or not knowing where to find professional help.
You do not need to be a mental health professional to offer meaningful support. Remaining calm, listening without judgement and helping the person access appropriate services can make an important difference.
However, you should never feel that you must manage a serious crisis alone. If someone is in immediate danger, professional emergency support is essential.
What Is a Mental Health Crisis?
A mental health crisis occurs when someone feels unable to cope or keep themselves safe. It may involve severe anxiety, panic, depression, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, psychosis, extreme distress or a significant change in behaviour.
A crisis can develop suddenly or build over time. It may be triggered by bereavement, trauma, relationship difficulties, financial pressure, illness, isolation, substance use or worsening mental health symptoms.
Every person experiences crisis differently. What feels manageable to one person may feel unbearable to another. Take the individual’s distress seriously rather than comparing it with somebody else’s experiences.
Signs Someone May Be in Crisis
Some people will say directly that they need help. Others may find it difficult to explain what is happening.
Possible signs include:
- Talking about feeling hopeless or trapped
- Saying that other people would be better off without them
- Mentioning suicide, death or self-harm
- Withdrawing from friends, family or usual activities
- Becoming unusually agitated, frightened or confused
- Experiencing severe panic or emotional distress
- Sleeping very little or much more than usual
- Neglecting food, hygiene, medication or basic needs
- Giving away possessions or saying goodbye
- Using more alcohol or drugs
- Hearing or seeing things that other people do not
- Behaving in a way that creates an immediate risk of harm
One sign does not always mean that someone is in crisis. However, a sudden or serious change should not be ignored.
Start a Calm and Direct Conversation
Choose a quiet place when possible and speak in a calm, straightforward way.
You might say:
“I’ve noticed that you don’t seem like yourself. How are you feeling?”
“I’m worried about you, and I want to help.”
“You don’t have to manage this alone.”
Avoid pressuring the person to explain everything immediately. Give them enough time to respond and allow pauses in the conversation.
Mind recommends listening, providing reassurance and letting someone know that they are not alone. Simply giving them space to talk can be helpful.
Listen Without Judgement
During a crisis, people often need to feel heard before they can consider possible solutions.
Listen carefully rather than interrupting, debating or trying to fix everything. Acknowledge the person’s feelings, even when you do not fully understand their experience.
Helpful responses include:
“That sounds incredibly difficult.”
“I’m glad you told me.”
“I can see that you’re dealing with a lot.”
“I’m here with you.”
Avoid phrases such as “cheer up,” “pull yourself together,” “other people have it worse” or “you have nothing to be upset about.” These responses can make someone feel dismissed and less likely to continue talking.
Ask Directly About Suicide
If you are concerned that someone may be suicidal, ask them clearly.
You could say:
“Are you thinking about suicide?”
“Have you thought about ending your life?”
“Do you feel that you can keep yourself safe?”
Asking directly about suicide does not put the idea into someone’s mind. Samaritans explains that direct questions can give someone permission to talk honestly and show them that they are not a burden.
Try not to react with shock, anger or panic if the person says yes. Thank them for telling you and focus on getting the right support.
Check Whether There Is Immediate Danger
Try to establish whether the person is at immediate risk.
You may need to ask:
“Have you made a plan to harm yourself?”
“Have you already done anything to hurt yourself?”
“Do you have access to anything you might use?”
“Are you able to stay safe right now?”
If they have taken an overdose, seriously injured themselves, made an immediate suicide attempt or are in danger of harming themselves or someone else, call 999 or go to the nearest accident and emergency department.
The NHS advises calling 999 or attending A&E when someone is in danger. For urgent mental health help that is not an immediate emergency, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option.
Do not leave someone alone when there is an immediate risk, unless remaining with them would place you in danger.
Reduce Immediate Risks Where Possible
If it is safe to do so, encourage the person to move to a quieter and safer place.
You may be able to reduce access to medication, alcohol, weapons or other items they have said they might use to harm themselves. Do not physically struggle with someone or put yourself at risk.
Keep the environment as calm as possible. Reduce noise, crowds and unnecessary questions. Avoid making sudden movements or standing too close if the person appears frightened or agitated.
If there is a risk of violence, move to safety and contact the emergency services.
Help Them Contact Professional Support
A person in crisis may be too overwhelmed to make a phone call, explain their symptoms or find the correct service.
Offer practical help, such as:
- Calling NHS 111 with them
- Contacting their crisis team
- Arranging an urgent GP appointment
- Taking them to A&E
- Sitting with them during a telephone assessment
- Writing down important information
- Contacting a trusted relative with their agreement
- Helping them find medication or their care plan
Mind notes that supporters can help by making calls, encouraging the person to seek assistance and being present during treatment.
When contacting a service, explain what has changed, whether the person has suicidal thoughts, whether they have harmed themselves and whether they can remain safe.
Respect Them Without Promising Secrecy
Treat the person with dignity and involve them in decisions whenever possible.
However, do not promise to keep suicidal intentions or an immediate danger secret. You may need to contact emergency services or another responsible person even if they ask you not to.
You can explain:
“I care about you too much to keep this to myself when you may be in danger.”
“I want to involve you in what happens next, but we need additional help.”
Sharing necessary information to protect someone from serious harm is different from discussing their private situation unnecessarily.
Help Them Focus on the Present Moment
During intense distress, thinking about the future may feel impossible.
Encourage the person to focus on the next few minutes rather than solving every problem at once.
You might ask them to:
- Sit somewhere quiet
- Take slow breaths
- Drink some water
- Place their feet firmly on the floor
- Name things they can see and hear
- Hold a familiar or comforting object
- Contact someone they trust
- Focus on staying safe until support arrives
These steps do not replace professional care, but they may help reduce immediate distress.
Create a Safety Plan
Once the immediate crisis has passed, a safety plan can help the person prepare for future difficult moments.
A safety plan may include:
- Personal warning signs
- Situations that make distress worse
- Coping strategies that have helped before
- Safe places to go
- Trusted people to contact
- Professional crisis numbers
- Steps for reducing access to harmful items
- Reasons for staying safe
Samaritans describes a safety plan as a practical tool for helping someone navigate suicidal feelings and plan future communication and check-ins.
A safety plan should ideally be created with the person rather than imposed on them.
Continue Supporting Them Afterwards
Support should not necessarily end when the immediate crisis passes.
Send a message, make a call or arrange to meet. Ask how they are feeling and whether they received the professional support they needed.
Instead of saying, “Let me know if you need anything,” offer something specific:
“Can I call you tomorrow morning?”
“Would you like me to come to your appointment?”
“Can I help you prepare some meals?”
“Would it help if we contacted the service again?”
Regular, manageable contact may feel less overwhelming than expecting the person to reach out themselves.
Look After Your Own Mental Health
Supporting someone through a mental health crisis can be emotionally exhausting.
You may feel frightened, responsible, angry, helpless or guilty. These reactions do not mean that you have failed.
Speak confidentially with a suitable professional or support service, take breaks where possible and maintain clear boundaries. You cannot be available every hour of every day, and you are not responsible for providing treatment.
You can care deeply while still recognising the limits of what you can safely manage.
Urgent Mental Health Support in the UK
If someone is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E.
In England, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option when urgent mental health support is needed but there is no immediate danger.
Samaritans can be contacted free of charge on 116 123, 24 hours a day, for anyone who needs someone to talk to.
The person does not need to be certain that their situation is serious enough. The NHS states that seeking urgent mental health help does not waste anyone’s time.
Your Support Can Make a Difference
You do not need perfect words to support someone experiencing a mental health crisis.
Listen, remain calm, take concerns about suicide seriously and involve professional services when needed. Your role is not to diagnose the person or solve every problem. Your role is to help them feel less alone and connect them with appropriate support.
A compassionate conversation, a direct question or a timely call for help may be an important first step towards safety and recovery.
