Crisis Resources
How do I know if I am experiencing a crisis?
Section titled “How do I know if I am experiencing a crisis?”What is a crisis?
Section titled “What is a crisis?”A mental health crisis occurs when an individual’s ability to cope becomes overwhelmed by internal or external stressors, resulting in emotional dysregulation and impaired functioning. During these acute moments, a person may experience intense anxiety, disorientation, social withdrawal, or suicidal ideation.
Crises are often preceded by events that vary in scale and intensity. Some crises stem from large-scale traumatic incidents like natural disasters, community violence, or public health emergencies. Others are deeply personal, such as relationship breakdowns, job loss, or sexual assault. Sometimes a crisis is also a result of the accumulating impact of multiple stressful events. Regardless of the cause, a crisis arises when existing coping strategies are no longer sufficient to manage distress.
Some signs that you are in crisis may include:
Section titled “Some signs that you are in crisis may include:”- Acting in violent ways, such as punching a hole in the wall or getting into fights
- Engaging in risky activities without thinking
- Thinking about hurting or killing yourself
- Talking about death, dying, or suicide
- Giving away prized possessions
- Getting affairs in order, tying up loose ends, or writing a will
- Neglecting personal welfare and appearance
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Increasing alcohol or drug misuse
- Feelings
- Appearing sad or depressed most of the time
- Hopelessness
- Anxiety, agitation, sleeplessness, or mood swings
- Feeling as if there is no reason to live
- Feeling excessive guilt, shame, or sense of failure
- Rage or anger
- Losing interest in hobbies, work, or school
These signs require attention right away:
Section titled “These signs require attention right away:”- Attempts or threats to harm or kill yourself or otheres
- Looking for ways to kill yourself
- Delusions or hallucinations
- Extreme withdrawal
- Not sleeping or eating for many days
- Verbal or physical abuse
Sample crisis response/safety plan
Section titled “Sample crisis response/safety plan”Crisis response planning is designed to reduce the intensity of suicidal ideation and the risk of suicide attempts by helping people learn to recognize and manage intense feelings during difficult situations. It involves identifying potential crisis warning signs, recognizing early warning signs, and outlining specific steps that you can take to support your safety during a crisis. Use the following example to help you develop your own crisis response plan.
- My crisis warning signs: Irritability, grinding teeth, thinking about walking out of the situation I’m in, being short with people, having negative thoughts about myself
- Things I will do on my own to respond to my crisis: Count to 10 while deep breathing, splash my face with cold water, go for a walk
- My reasons for living: My nephew and my cats
- My social supports: Call ABC, 555-555-5555; call XYZ, 777-777-7777 (People typically list a friend or family member here)
- My professional supports: Call the County Crisis Line - 555-555-5555; call my therapist - 777-777-7777 and leave a voicemail
Note: Be as specific as you can about who to call or text. List their names and phone numbers.
Mad Queer Organizing Strategies: Practicing Radical Consent as a Mad Person Workbook
- Provides an example of emergency planning in a workbook format. Create a copy of your own and fill out according to your needs/situation!
- Safety planning specifically on page 10
NAMI Navigating a Mental Health Crisis: Navigating a Mental Health Crisis | NAMI
- Provides resources for navigating a mental health crisis including a downloadable crisis planning worksheet
National Crisis and Warm Lines
Section titled “National Crisis and Warm Lines”Crisis lines are text or phone lines you can contact when you feel in crisis and need immediate help. Warm lines are a service that provides emotional support for individuals experiencing mental health challenges. Warm lines are appropriate for non-urgent situations where you need support for everyday concerns and to prevent crises.
Will not contact emergency services or police:
Section titled “Will not contact emergency services or police:”These lines do not use nonconsensual intervention and do not involve law enforcement.
- LGBT National Help Center
- Provides peer support, community connections, and resource information through national hotlines and online chatrooms for youth and adults.
- Hours: Mon-Fri: 11 AM - 8 PM PT, Sat: 9 AM - 2 PM/pacific time
- LGBT National Hotline Number: 888-843-4564
- The Trans Lifeline
- The Trans Lifeline is a peer support hotline run by trans people for trans and questioning individuals
- Hours: Monday-Friday 10am-6pm PT.
- Call: 1-877-565-8860
- The Trans Lifeline is a peer support hotline run by trans people for trans and questioning individuals
- Call BlackLine
- A 24/7 crisis and support line centering Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with intersecting identities. They answer messages from anyone who may be in crisis, wants to describe an interaction with law enforcement or vigilantes, or simply needs to talk through an experience.
- Call or text 1-800-604-5841
- A 24/7 crisis and support line centering Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with intersecting identities. They answer messages from anyone who may be in crisis, wants to describe an interaction with law enforcement or vigilantes, or simply needs to talk through an experience.
- Wildflower Alliance Peer Support Line
- The Wildflower Alliance Peer Support Line is a peer support/warm line run by trained peer supporters who have their own first-hand experience with psychiatric diagnosis, trauma, addiction, and/or other interrupting challenges.
- Hours: 4pm to 6pm PT Monday through Thursday, 4pm-7pm PT Friday through Sunday
- Call: 888.407.4515
- Note: Do Not Leave A Voice Mail. They are not checked. Please keep calling until you reach someone
- The Wildflower Alliance Peer Support Line is a peer support/warm line run by trained peer supporters who have their own first-hand experience with psychiatric diagnosis, trauma, addiction, and/or other interrupting challenges.
- StrongHearts Native Helpline
- StrongHearts Native Helpline is a 24/7 confidential and anonymous domestic and sexual violence helpline for Native American
- Call 1-844-762-8483
- StrongHearts Native Helpline is a 24/7 confidential and anonymous domestic and sexual violence helpline for Native American
- Additional resources can be found at dontcallthepolice.com
May Contact Emergency Services
Section titled “May Contact Emergency Services”These lines may use nonconsensual intervention, usually with police if they determine a caller is an “imminent risk.”
- 988 Lifeline
- The national crisis line is available 24/7 by calling 988 or going to 988lifeline.org.
- Veterans Crisis Line
- Call 988 and then press 1
- Send a text to 838255
- Crisis Text Line
- Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, high-quality text-based mental health support and crisis intervention by empowering a community of trained volunteers to support people in their moments of need.
- Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a live volunteer Crisis Counselor.
- The Trevor Project
- The Trevor project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ youth. They provide 24/6 confidential crisis support.
- Text ‘START’ to 678-678
- Call: 1-866-488-7386
- The Trevor project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ youth. They provide 24/6 confidential crisis support.
Washington Specific resources:
Section titled “Washington Specific resources:”- Crisis Connections – Crisis Hotline
- Crisis Connections Crisis Hotline provides immediate help to individuals, families, and friends of people in emotional crisis. They do not work with police, but may provide mobile intervention but can refer to outside mobile providers – that provider’s response may include law enforcement.
- Call (866) 427-4747 or 988 24/7 to reach the Crisis Connections Crisis Hotline
- Crisis Connections Crisis Hotline provides immediate help to individuals, families, and friends of people in emotional crisis. They do not work with police, but may provide mobile intervention but can refer to outside mobile providers – that provider’s response may include law enforcement.
- Crisis Connections – Warm Line
- Peer volunteers who have lived experience with mental health challenges and recovery are here to listen when help seekers in Washington State need understanding and support.
- Hours: 2pm-9pm, 7 days a week
- Number: 877-500-9276
- Peer volunteers who have lived experience with mental health challenges and recovery are here to listen when help seekers in Washington State need understanding and support.
- King County Sexual Assault Resource Center Resource Line
- KCSARC is a resource for anyone who has experienced sexual assault, their families or friends, or anyone who is concerned about sexual assault or child abuse and safety in their community. KCSARC’s line is staffed by professionals who provide crisis intervention, information, referrals and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Number: 888.99.VOICE (888.998.6423)
- KCSARC is a resource for anyone who has experienced sexual assault, their families or friends, or anyone who is concerned about sexual assault or child abuse and safety in their community. KCSARC’s line is staffed by professionals who provide crisis intervention, information, referrals and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.