Emergency Action Plan
What to do when you or someone you know is in a mental health crisis
If You're in Immediate Danger
• Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room
• Call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) - Available 24/7
• Text HELLO to 741741 (Crisis Text Line)
Immediate Steps in a Crisis
Ensure immediate safety
If in immediate danger, call 911 or go to nearest emergency room
Call crisis hotline
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Free, confidential, 24/7 support
Don't be alone
Stay with someone or call a trusted person to come be with you
Remove access to means
Temporarily give medications, weapons, or other means to someone safe
24/7 Crisis Resources
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
988
Call or text 988 for immediate crisis support
Crisis Text Line
Text HELLO to 741741
Text-based crisis support
Postpartum Support International
1-800-944-4773
Perinatal mental health crisis support (English & Spanish)
Emergency Services
911
For immediate life-threatening emergencies
When to Go to the Emergency Room
Go to your nearest ER or call 911 if you experience:
Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
Inability to function or care for yourself
Seeing or hearing things that aren't there
Severe panic attacks that won't subside
Complete inability to sleep for days
Feeling completely out of control
Suicidal thoughts with a plan
Remember: It's always better to seek help and not need it than to need help and not seek it. Emergency rooms are equipped to handle mental health crises.
Creating Your Safety Plan
A safety plan helps you prepare for future crises. Work through these steps with your therapist:
Warning Signs
Identify early warning signs that a crisis may be developing (mood changes, isolation, intrusive thoughts)
Coping Strategies
List specific activities that help you feel better (breathing exercises, calling a friend, taking a walk)
People to Contact
Keep a list of supportive people with phone numbers readily available
Professional Contacts
Therapist, psychiatrist, doctor phone numbers and after-hours emergency numbers
Safe Environment
Identify safe places to go and people who can help remove means of self-harm
Tip: Keep your safety plan in multiple places - on your phone, printed by your bed, shared with a trusted friend.
If Someone You Love is in Crisis
Stay Calm & Listen
Take their concerns seriously. Don't minimize or dismiss what they're feeling.
Don't Leave Them Alone
Stay with them or arrange for someone else to be present until help arrives.
Remove Means of Self-Harm
Temporarily secure medications, weapons, sharp objects, or other dangerous items.
Call for Help
988 Lifeline, their therapist, or 911 if immediate danger. It's better to overreact than underreact.
Follow Up
Check in regularly after the crisis. Help them connect with professional support.
You Don't Have to Face This Alone
Professional help is available 24/7