Counseling For Crisis Situations And Emergency Resources For Urgent Situations
- For those experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988
- For those experiencing abuse, please contact the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- For those experiencing substance use, please contact SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357
A mental health crisis can happen to anyone and is not confined to people with a diagnosed or severe mental illness. In situations where people may need acute mental health support, it might not be reasonable to expect a person to wait until they can schedule a therapy appointment or until typical business hours to talk to an on-call counselor.
In this article, we’ll be exploring the different resources available to you on short notice and how you can continue receiving long-term care should you need it.
Counseling for crisis situations
Crises can occur at any time of the day or night, so crisis counseling hotlines are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Many crisis hotlines in the United States are run by the federal government, while others may be supported by nonprofits and foundations focused on improving mental health. Some are staffed by trained counselors and mental health first responders who can provide acute mental health support, while others are staffed by volunteers who can connect callers to mental health resources.
Mental health hotlines
Below is a list of crisis hotlines that are available at any time. Please note, however, that while many of these hotlines are free to call, some offer text services as well, and messages and rates may apply to such texts depending on your phone carrier and plan.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is run by the federal government and is toll-free. You can reach it by calling or texting 988. The Suicide And Crisis Lifeline provides free support for anyone experiencing suicidal ideation or another form of acute emotional distress. You can also call or text them if you’re worried that your loved one is in distress and aren’t sure how to help. The staff members that you speak with on the hotline can also provide resources related to suicide prevention.
If you or a loved one is experiencing suicidal thoughts, reach out for help immediately. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7.
Crisis Text Line
The Crisis Text Line can provide support to individuals in situations relating to gun violence, anxiety, eating disorders, depression, and self-harm. They may also act as a suicide crisis lifeline for assistance. To connect with a volunteer crisis counselor, text HOME to 741741.
Veterans Crisis Line
The Veterans Crisis Line is run by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Many of the staff members available through the hotline have served in the armed forces themselves and can provide peer-to-peer support with the challenges commonly associated with a history of service. The Veterans Crisis Line is available by calling 988 and pressing 1 or by texting 838255.
The SAMHSA National Helpline
The SAMHSA National Helpline is run by the federal government and is free. The staff can provide information about mental health conditions and substance use disorders, including information on prevention and recovery, treatment referrals, and other resources. It is available by dialing 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357).
Disaster Distress Helpline
The Disaster Distress Helpline is run by the federal government. Callers who are experiencing emotional distress related to living through natural or human-caused disasters can access a trained crisis counselor with a background in providing support to those who have survived life-threatening situations. You can access the Disaster Distress Helpline by calling or texting 1-800-985-5990.
Practicing coping skills using YouthLine support
With YouthLine, teenagers can access peer support from other teens (who are supervised by adults) during select hours. Youth can also connect with support from adults at any time. YouthLine is available by calling 1-877-968-8491 or texting “teen2teen” to 839863.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is intended to provide support to anyone who thinks that they or a loved one may be experiencing any form of abuse, whether emotional, physical, financial, or sexual (note: abuse does not have to fit a particular definition of “domestic violence”).
Staff at the hotline can connect callers to resources and support regarding safety within an abusive relationship. This can include offering advice and assistance to individuals who are leaving an abusive relationship or guiding them through emotional distress when they’re recovering from an abusive relationship. Staff members can also help people who are worried they might be abusive to their loved ones and are seeking help in shifting their behavior. You can access this hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233), TTY 1-800-787-3224, or by texting “START” to 88788.
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline is focused on providing professional support to those hoping to stop suspected child abuse. Staff are trained in over 170 languages and can connect callers to emergency resources and local social services departments. Those in need of support in this area can call or text 800-422-4453 to get connected to a staff member or by beginning a live chat on their website.
The Trevor Project Lifeline
The Trevor Project Lifeline provides crisis counseling and emotional support for young people who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. It is available by calling 866-488-7386, or by texting START to 678678.
Coping strategies using the Parental Stress Line
The Parental Stress Line is intended to provide nonjudgmental support to parents. It is staffed by trained volunteer counselors who can connect parents to information about resources in their local area to address parenting difficulties, as well as brainstorm ideas and solutions to parenting-related concerns. The Parental Stress Line can be accessed at 1-800-632-8188.
Thursday’s Child National Youth Advocacy Hotline
Thursday’s Child National Youth Advocacy Hotline provides immediate help and crisis support for parents and children. Their staff address issues including (but not limited to) bullying, exploitation, sexual health and safety, abuse, substance use, running away from home, and eating disorders. It is available by calling 1-800-USA-KIDS (1-800-872-5437) in the US or internationally at 1-818-831-1234.
Military Helpline
The Military Helpline is a crisis line designed to support members of the military who are actively serving, as opposed to veterans or those who have previously served. It is staffed by people who have served and people who are trained in supporting military-connected people and their families. Callers can learn about information and resources related to mental health and receive support to help them adjust between military and civilian life more efficiently. This hotline can be accessed at 1-888-457-4838.
National Problem Gambling Helpline
The National Problem Gambling Helpline provides information, support, and resources related to gambling addiction and problem gambling. It is available by calling or texting 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-522-4700) or by beginning a live chat session on 1800gamblerchat.org.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Helpline
The MADD Helpline is intended to provide emotional support for people who have lost a loved one to a drunk driving accident. It is staffed 24/7 by staff and volunteers and is available by calling 1-877-MADD-HELP (1-877-623-3435).
Boys Town National Hotline
The Boys Town National Hotline provides crisis support for children, youth, and families. From bullying to parenting issues and more, counselors are trained to offer resources and guidance for a variety of problems. Those in need can access this hotline by dialing 1-800-448-3000.
Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Program Hotline
The Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Program Hotline provides information, resources (including legal support and housing assistance), and intervention for survivors of domestic violence. It is available by calling 1-800-832-1901.
Finding ongoing mental health support for crisis intervention
In a mental health crisis, attending a therapy appointment may not be helpful or practical. Mental health hotlines such as those listed above may be the most accessible and beneficial version of mental health care in those specific situations. However, mental health symptoms and conditions may not be resolved after an acute intervention. If this is the case, ongoing mental health care, such as regularly speaking to a therapist, may be beneficial.
Online therapy to learn coping skills and crisis intervention
Online therapy may be a form of continuing care that is more accessible and convenient, as you can attend therapy from the comfort of your own home. By connecting with a therapist through a platform like BetterHelp, you can begin getting the support you need through video chats, phone calls, or in-app messaging. With online therapy, you can access therapy for as little or as long as needed and switch providers at any time until you find the right fit.
Online counseling for crisis situations can have similar outcomes
While online therapy may not be appropriate for immediate crisis situations, scientific research has demonstrated that it can have similar outcomes to traditional in-person therapy appointments when it comes to ongoing mental health care.
Learn coping strategies through online CBT
One study found that completing online cognitive behavioral therapy resulted in a reduction of symptoms of a range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, mood disorders, phobias, bipolar disorder, and more. CBT is a type of therapy that recognizes the link between one’s thoughts and actions. It can be helpful by teaching people how to replace their unhelpful thoughts with more positive ones, which can allow individuals to change their unwanted behaviors.
Takeaway
How do you handle a crisis situation in counseling?
As a counselor or therapist, client safety is at the forefront of how you assist. Before anything else, provide an assessment for suicide and homicide risk. If a client is at risk of harming themselves or others in the short-term, use your training on mandated reporting to get them to a safe environment. If the crisis does not require emergency services, you may get the current situation under control by first validating the individual’s feelings, then walking them through coping mechanisms that can reduce severe distress in the moment, such as deep breathing, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) distress tolerance skills, and a plan for follow-up care and safety. Help them with problem-solving, as they may struggle to do so when their emotions are overwhelming.
What is the crisis approach in counseling?
Crisis counseling is a short-term way for therapists to offer support to clients in the event of a mental health crisis, such as suicidal thoughts, experiencing natural disasters, going through a severe trauma, a desire to go back to substance use, unplanned pregnancy, the death of a loved one, and other unplanned events that cause emotional crisis. This process may be helpful in grounding an individual in the moment and getting a sense of and define their current needs via various assessment tools and active listening techniques. The provider may help the client come up with the next steps by filling out a safety plan and looking for long-term solutions together. Counselors can learn more about crisis counseling skills from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and American Counseling Association (ACA).
What is an example of crisis counseling?
An example of crisis counseling is a client calling their therapy center’s crisis hotline numbers and asking for guidance while they have a panic attack. The counselor on the other line will offer critical support by assessing the caller’s safety, helping them ground themselves, and listening to them speak about what they’re experiencing. Once the client is back to functioning enough to plan for the future, the last step is usually setting up long-term counseling or helping the client commit to a plan for developing more security and reducing isolation. Over time, the goal is for the client to be able to regulate independently by developing coping skills they can use in daily life to reduce stress.
How do you deal with crisis situations?
Dealing with crisis situations, even if you’re not a professional, can require patience, empathy, and understanding of mental health. Regardless of the situation, a mental health crisis refers to a situation in which someone is in extreme distress, whether due to an external circumstance or not. They may have a panic attack or experience other symptoms altogether. Some people cry during a crisis, others may have difficulty opening up and could seem “frozen” and dissociated.
To best support the individual, ask them what they need. If they’re not sure, guide them through a grounding exercise, or look up guided mindfulness practices and do them together. Paired muscle relaxation may be helpful to try. If you struggle to do so on your own, get the person to a safe location and help them call a crisis line or get to emergency services, if necessary. If you’re in a busy group setting, go to a more quiet place.
What is the role of a counselor in a crisis?
In a crisis, a counselor plays the role of someone to listen, validate, and provide resources. They can help a person come up with a safety plan, find long-term resources, and calm down in the moment. Crisis counselors are often trained to react quickly and to be prepared for any situation. They may have experience working with severe traumatic events. Regular counselors can take crisis counseling classes and workshops to work on their crisis counseling skills.
What is the best way to support someone in crisis?
Each person responds differently to different coping mechanisms and support methods. Ask the person you love when they’re not in crisis how you can best support them in these moments. You can come up with a crisis plan together. If you’re a counselor, you can use evidence-based practices from your training to work through the crisis with the client or individual.
What are the approaches to managing a crisis situation?
Many approaches to managing a crisis are possible. Some popular methods include the following:
- Risk analysis
- Crisis management teams
- Crisis preparation
- Building a safety plan
- Problem-solving
- Immediate emergency rescue
What is an important first step in crisis counseling?
Often, a first step of crisis counseling is assessing the risk of a situation. Before offering support, an individual or a professional may decide whether the situation requires emergency services or escalation to someone with more ability to treat the challenge. If the situation is not an emergency, the individual can then be supported in more immediate ways, such as via grounding exercises and support in safety planning.
How do you approach a client in crisis?
Approach a client in crisis empathetically, openly, and non-judgmentally. Don’t make sudden movements, talk loudly, or show extreme emotion, such as fear or anger. If you are in immediate danger, remove yourself from the situation. If the client is in danger, you can call emergency services. Otherwise, approach them with respect and help them through the crisis slowly and calmly, remembering the skills you’ve learned to support clients through distress.
What is the concept of crisis counseling?
The concept of crisis counseling is to support individuals through an acute crisis in mental health without worsening the situation and by getting them the resources they need as soon as possible. Crisis counseling is not a long-term solution but can lead to finding long-term support. Crisis counselors may work on hotlines or as regular counselors in mental health clinics or centers.
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