What to Do in a Mental Health Crisis

If you or someone else is in a mental-health or substance-related crisis, 988 and emergency services can help. Here is how to get immediate support.

Updated 2026

This guide is informational and is not medical advice.

Category: crisis-and-safety · Updated 2026

A mental-health crisis can feel overwhelming, but there are immediate places to turn. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day by call or text, and emergency services are there for situations with immediate danger. Knowing what to do in advance makes a crisis easier to handle.

This is informational only and not medical advice. If there is immediate danger of death or serious injury, call 911.

If you are in crisis

Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It is free, confidential, and available 24/7.
If you are in immediate physical danger or thinking of acting on self-harm, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Reach out to a trusted person and, if you can, stay with someone until the crisis passes.
Reduce access to items that could be used for self-harm while you get help.

For substance-related help, the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 is free, confidential, and available 24/7 in English and Spanish, with interpretation for other languages.

If someone else is in crisis

Stay calm, listen, and take talk of suicide or self-harm seriously. Ask directly whether the person is thinking of harming themselves; asking does not increase risk. Do not leave the person alone if they may act. Call 988 for guidance, or 911 if there is immediate danger. If an opioid overdose is suspected, call 911 and give naloxone if it is available and you are trained to use it.

After the immediate crisis

Once the acute moment passes, connect the person to ongoing care: a crisis counselor, a therapist, a psychiatric prescriber, or a treatment program. A safety plan, made with a clinician, can help identify warning signs, coping steps, and people to contact. The 988 Lifeline can help with follow-up resources, and mobile crisis teams serve many communities.

What not to do

Do not dismiss or minimize what the person is feeling.
Do not leave someone alone when there is a realistic risk of self-harm.
Do not rely on social media or message boards for emergency help.
Do not delay calling 988 or 911 out of embarrassment or fear.

Related guides

Frequently asked questions

What is 988?

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national network reachable by calling or texting 988. It connects people in mental-health or substance-related crisis, and those worried about them, with trained counselors 24 hours a day. It is free and confidential.

Should I call 911 or 988?

Call 911 if there is immediate physical danger, a medical emergency, or an active threat to safety. Call or text 988 for a mental-health or substance-related crisis when there is no immediate physical emergency, including if you just need someone to talk to.

What if I am worried about someone but they are not in immediate danger?

You can call 988 for guidance, encourage the person to reach out, and help them connect with a therapist or program. The SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 can also help with referrals. Keep communication open and non-judgmental.

Does naloxone really reverse an overdose?

Naloxone reverses opioid overdose by restoring breathing and is widely available, often without a prescription. It does not replace emergency care, so call 911 as well. Many community programs offer free naloxone and training.

Data sources

SAMHSA FindTreatment.gov. This guide is provided for information and is not medical advice. Processing date: 2026-10-08.

Required disclosures

For general information only, not medical advice. This website shares public data and general information. It does not offer medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment guidance, and it cannot replace a consultation with a qualified health care professional.

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In a crisis, get help now. Call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.

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