Let’s Talk Crisis…

    Have you or someone you loved ever experienced a mental health crisis? Let’s be frank, it’s a scary experience. There’s no way around that fact. Maybe you haven’t experienced a mental health crisis and you’re wondering what I mean. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) defines a mental health crisis as “any situation in which a person’s behavior puts them at risk of hurting themselves or others and/or prevents them from being able to care for themselves or function effectively in the community.”

            What does this look like? For starters, it looks different for everyone. There are so many factors that play into a mental health crisis. It’s essential to look at environmental and genetic circumstances, we must look at the big picture. Someone facing a crisis might be expressing thoughts of wanting to harm themselves or others. They might be experiencing auditory or visual hallucinations or delusional thinking. The gamut of symptoms is vast, but a commonality among crises is that this can be one of the scariest experiences someone might ever face. 

Okay, so we have an idea of what a crisis is, but how do we handle it? The good news is, there’s a way to manage life after a crisis. I provide therapeutic services that specialize in managing symptoms and continually assessing for safety. I have experience in crisis work and crisis management that helps me assess the immediate need. We will work together to find solutions that make life manageable. The ability to live effectively and freely is our top priority. 

You might have been referred out by a previous therapist because you’ve experienced crisis symptoms or you’re having a hard time finding one due to a previous mental health diagnosis. Worry not, your crisis or diagnosis does not scare me. At the end of the day, my main goal is your safety and well-being. 

What to do if you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis: 

SAFETY:  This is the top priority, we must constantly check for safety. What does this look like? Asking direct questions such as but not limited to: 

“Do you want to hurt yourself?” 

“Do you want to hurt anyone else?”

If yes, “do you have access to something you might use to hurt yourself or   someone else?”

If you feel like you or someone else cannot keep themselves safe, call 911. If you have any doubt about safety, the golden rule is to call 911. Better safe than sorry. 

SERVICES: If safety is a non-issue, the next step is to find services. These look like:

Psychiatry 

Individual Counseling 

Peer Support Groups 

Group Therapy 

SIGNS/SYMPTOMS: Educating yourself and others about the signs/symptoms of an impending mental health crisis is vital in prevention. Recognizing symptoms early can help stop a crisis before it progresses too far. These might look like but are not limited to:

Suicidal Thoughts

Homicidal Thoughts 

Auditory and Visual Hallucinations

Paranoia 

Delusional Thinking

Bizarre Behavior

If you’re looking for an empathetic and compassionate therapist who specializes in crisis and post-psychiatric hospitalization services, keep me in mind. Reach out through the contact form to schedule a free consultation. I’m here for any questions and to work with you on the path to recovery. It’s time to take back control and find freedom.