If you or someone else is in immediate physical danger, call 911 right away. This page is meant to provide clear direction during a crisis, not to replace emergency services.
This website is not a crisis hotline or emergency service. It does not monitor messages in real time. For any situation involving immediate danger, contact 911 or local emergency services directly.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
In the United States, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This free, confidential service connects callers with trained crisis counselors for mental health crises, suicidal thoughts, and substance use crises. Specialized options are also available for veterans and for Spanish-speaking callers through the same 988 number.
When to Use 988 vs. 911
- Call 911 when there is immediate danger to life, such as an overdose in progress, a suicide attempt underway, or a medical emergency.
- Call or text 988 for crisis support, including suicidal thoughts, severe emotional distress, or a substance use crisis that is not an immediate life-threatening emergency.
Signs of a Possible Overdose
Signs can include unresponsiveness, slow or stopped breathing, blue-tinged lips or fingertips, or extreme confusion. If you suspect an overdose, call 911 immediately. If naloxone (Narcan) is available and you are trained to use it, follow the product instructions while waiting for emergency responders. Stay with the person and provide any information you can to emergency responders about what substances may have been involved.
Supporting Someone Through a Mental Health Crisis
If a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis but is not in immediate physical danger, staying calm, avoiding arguments or ultimatums in the moment, and helping them connect with 988 or a local crisis service are generally more effective than trying to resolve the underlying issue yourself in that moment. Crisis counselors are specifically trained to de-escalate these situations and connect people with appropriate follow-up care.
After a Crisis Has Passed
If you or a loved one has just been through a crisis, connecting with a treatment provider soon afterward can help address underlying needs before another crisis develops. Our Rehab Admissions Process and Family Help pages can help you understand next steps once the immediate crisis has stabilized, including how to begin comparing longer-term treatment options.
Additional Support
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) maintains resources for both crisis support and ongoing treatment options through their national helpline and website, including guidance specifically for family members supporting someone through a crisis or early recovery.
Recognizing Warning Signs Before a Crisis Escalates
Family members and friends are often in a good position to notice early warning signs — withdrawal from usual activities, sudden mood changes, or comments about hopelessness — before a situation becomes a full crisis. Taking these signs seriously and encouraging professional support early, rather than waiting to see if things improve on their own, can sometimes prevent a more serious crisis from developing.
Local Emergency Resources
Beyond national resources like 911 and 988, many communities have local crisis intervention teams, mobile crisis units, or walk-in crisis centers that can respond more immediately than scheduling a traditional appointment. Searching for “[your city] mobile crisis team” or contacting your local health department can help you identify what is available specifically in your area before a crisis occurs, so you already know who to call if one does.
What to Do Immediately Following a Crisis
Once immediate safety is established, it can help to avoid making major decisions right away and instead focus on stabilization — rest, medical follow-up if needed, and connecting with a mental health or substance use professional in the following days. Trying to resolve every underlying issue immediately after a crisis has passed often adds unnecessary pressure during an already difficult time.
Preparing a Personal Safety Plan
Mental health professionals often recommend creating a written safety plan in advance, especially for anyone with a history of crisis episodes. This typically includes personal warning signs, coping strategies, people to contact, and professional resources, kept somewhere easily accessible. Having this prepared in advance can make a real difference in how quickly someone gets appropriate support during a future crisis.
Supporting Someone Else Through a Crisis Safely
If you are supporting someone else through a crisis, prioritize your own safety as well. If a situation feels physically dangerous, it is appropriate to step back and involve emergency responders rather than attempting to manage it entirely on your own. Crisis counselors and emergency responders are trained specifically for these situations in a way that even a well-meaning friend or family member typically is not.
Official source: 988 crisis support