It can be worrisome when a loved one is dealing with a mental health crisis. You want them to have the proper support to safely navigate troubling times, but you may be unsure of the available resources and how to access them.
This article explores what a mental health crisis is, how to identify one, and how to offer help, including resources in Massachusetts for people facing a mental health crisis.
What Is A Mental Health Crisis?
A mental health crisis occurs when a person experiences such mental, emotional, and/or psychological distress that it affects their ability to function and/or care for themselves, and/or they are at risk of harming themselves or others. Some people may also refer to a mental health crisis as a “nervous breakdown.”
Mental health crises can be brought on by the perceived inability to cope with complex emotions and deal with life. A person may feel hopeless, overwhelmed, or stuck in their feelings or situation. These circumstances can be prompted by a wide array of contexts, from major life changes to personal tragedies, mental health issues, high stress levels, and more. Every person has their own breaking point, and the events that lead to a crisis for one person may not lead to a crisis for another. Once in crisis, behavior can be unpredictable.
What Causes A Mental Health Crisis?
A mental health crisis is typically caused when a stressor or series of stressors becomes too overwhelming for a person to manage on their own.
Stressors that can trigger a mental health crisis include but are not limited to:
- abusing drugs or alcohol, or dealing with a loved one who is abusing drugs or alcohol
- changes in relationships with loved ones due to turmoil, loss, infidelity, separation, divorce, relocation, estrangement, etc.
- financial strain, e.g., debt, foreclosure, job loss, medical bills, etc.
- fulfilling a caregiver role
- health issues, e.g., a new medical diagnosis, a worsening condition, or the stress of living with a chronic illness
- lack of sleep and/or problems sleeping
- starting, stopping, or changing medication
- witnessing or experiencing violence, abuse, a natural disaster, or other traumatic events
- work or school-related challenges
Results of the KFF CNN Mental Health in America survey, which surveyed 2,004 adults nationwide between July 28 and August 9, 2022, found that half of all U.S. adults (51%) experienced a mental health crisis that warranted treatment or had a family member who did. Treatment was administered in these cases because the person was a danger to themselves or others (28%), engaged in self-harm (26%), had a drug overdose that warranted emergency treatment (21%), experienced homelessness (16%) or ran away from home (14%), died by suicide (16%), and/or had a severe eating disorder (8%).
Signs Of A Mental Health Crisis
Not everyone on the verge of a mental health crisis may exhibit symptoms. If a person lives alone or away from loved ones, it may be even more difficult for anyone to notice signs of an impending crisis. However, there are a few signs to consider.
Signs of an impending mental health crisis may include:
- delusions or hallucinations
- emotional outbursts, e.g., fits of rage or bouts of depression
- frequent mood changes or emotional ups and downs
- impulsive and self-destructive behaviors such as substance abuse, self-harm, or abusing others
- inability to care for oneself, e.g., not bathing, brushing teeth, changing clothes, or eating or sleeping regularly
- increased aggression, e.g., verbal abuse, violence, destruction of property
- isolation
- not eating or sleeping for several days
- psychosis
Supporting A Loved One In Crisis
Helping a loved one who feels emotionally out of control is not a simple matter. You may feel frightened and worried, as well as sad, confused, angry, or guilty. Below are a few suggestions for helping a loved one navigate a mental health crisis.
Remember that it’s extremely important to look out for your own safety and the safety of others in your care. If, at any time, you feel unsafe when helping a person in crisis, dial 9-1-1. You are never alone, and there are resources in your community that can help you.
Determine If Your Loved One Is In Crisis
Although all mental health crises are cause for concern, some warrant immediate attention and outside intervention.
If your loved one displays any of the following, please seek help immediately:
- delusions or hallucinations
- intense isolation
- not eating or sleeping for several days
- threats or attempts made to harm or kill oneself or others
- verbal and/or physical abuse
These are signs of intensifying and potentially out-of-control behaviors that can lead to destruction, violence, and injury. A person in the midst of a crisis may not be in the space to practice rational thinking or communicate effectively. Also, if a person has experienced a mental health crisis in the past, they are more likely to have another in the future, according to The Milbank Quarterly. Taking their past behaviors and current situation into consideration may help you determine whether outside help is needed.
Offer Emotional Support
When a loved one is in crisis, the way you respond and react to them and the situation may help escalate or deescalate the situation. A person in crisis is easily triggered and quick to react impulsively. To support them as effectively as possible, your reactions should be stable, calm, and non-judgmental.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has a guidebook on how to help people experiencing a mental health crisis, which includes a section on how to act in these situations. These situations are difficult, and it can be challenging to remain calm. Do your best and call on the resources, listed below, as needed.
When a person is in crisis, NAMI suggests responding in the following ways:
- announce what you’re about to do before you act
- ask how you can be helpful
- avoid intense eye contact
- be patient
- don’t touch them unless you ask for permission
- give them space
- keep stimulation to a minimum
- offer options instead of trying to control the situation
- practice active listening; listen to understand rather than to speak
- stay calm, keep your voice steady, and avoid overreacting
It’s also important to validate what they’re feeling and refrain from minimizing their experience. Don’t try to reason or argue with them. You may not understand the exact situation, or their current reality, but you can empathize with being mad, sad, overwhelmed, stuck, etc. Respect their boundaries and if they don’t want to talk, don’t pressure them; your presence may be all they need to feel supported. Sit in silence with them to show your support until they feel ready to talk.
Engage Outside Resources
As family members, partners, and friends who may not work in the mental health field, knowledge of how to respond to a mental health crisis may be limited. Resources, such as organizations, mental health providers, and crisis hotlines, are available to help you and your loved one get through the situation safely.
Different resources are available depending on the state and community you’re in. When navigating a mental health crisis in Massachusetts, there are many resources available, including a 24-hour hotline for mental and behavioral health concerns.
Some of the in-person resources you may engage to support your loved one through a crisis include but are not limited to:
- Community crisis stabilization: CCS is a short-term voluntary program in Massachusetts that provides people with immediate care for a mental health or substance abuse crisis. CCS is available at community behavioral health centers (CBHCs) and is covered by MassHealth. The typical length of stay is five days and services include individual, group, and family therapies, medication management, crisis intervention, and crisis prevention planning.
- Emergency department services: If you aren’t sure what to do, or if your loved one’s crisis involves a medical emergency, go directly to the hospital or call 9-1-1. Support for behavioral health crises at a hospital emergency department is limited, but you’ll have access to trained professionals and a wider range of resources.
- Mental health providers: If your loved one sees a counselor, therapist, or psychiatrist, the provider may be aware of their challenges and can provide specific support, such as an emergency session. Some providers are also associated with or operate urgent care centers for behavioral health crises.
- Peer-led support programs: Peer-led mental health support programs are support groups consisting of like-minded people navigating challenges related to their mental health. Some of the programs in Massachusetts include Hope for Holyoke Recovery Support Center, NAMI Connection, The Impact Center, The RECOVER Project, Wildflower Alliance, and more.
- Residential treatment: If your loved one would benefit from intensive treatment with round-the-clock supervision and support from behavioral health professionals, residential treatment may be the most suitable option. Length of stay may vary depending on the treatment center and the specific needs of the client. While in treatment, people are exposed to various therapies while separated from their day-to-day environment to ensure their safety and reduce distractions to permit healing.
In addition to in-person support, there are also hotlines serving Massachusetts and the entire country that are dedicated to mental health.
Phone numbers dedicated to supporting people experiencing a mental health crisis in MA include:
- Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL): BHHL is a free service available to state residents 24 hours a day, seven days a week, operated by the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership. Anyone can call, text, or chat online with a trained staff member for matters including mental health assessments, crisis services, substance use treatment, referrals, and more. Staff members remain connected until those seeking help are connected to the next step, and every communication is followed up with clinical engagement. Real-time interpretation is available for 200+ languages, including options for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Call or text BHHL at 833-773-2445, or visit the BHHL website to start a live chat.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Available in all 50 states, 9-8-8 is a phone line for people experiencing a mental health crisis, dealing with substance abuse, having thoughts of suicide, or handling other types of emotional distress. The line is also available for loved ones who are concerned about the mental health of a friend or family member. The line is active 24/7 and users can get connected to trained mental health counselors via phone, text, or the 988 website.
- 9-1-1: Calling 9-1-1 is not recommended if you do not have a medical emergency, but if you truly aren’t sure what to do, or if safety is a concern, dial the emergency line. If you call 9-1-1, be sure to inform the dispatcher that your friend or family member is experiencing a mental health crisis.
Take Care Of Yourself
After your loved one receives the help they need and you’re confident of their safety, remember to take care of yourself, too. Helping someone through a mental health crisis can be physically exhausting and mentally draining. After you help them, be sure to help yourself by practicing self-care.
Ideas for self-care include:
- create something, e.g., draw, paint, write, garden, etc.
- eat your favorite food
- get a massage
- go for a walk outside
- listen to uplifting music
- practice meditation
- snuggle with a pet
- take a nap
- talk to someone you trust
Mental Health Treatment At BRC
Bedrock Recovery Center in Canton is dedicated to helping people who are experiencing behavioral health challenges and their loved ones. Our Pathways residential mental health program provides clients with 24/7 access to health care professionals and an individualized care program that incorporates the client’s personal recovery goals.
Treatment plans may include:
- aftercare planning
- evidence-based psychotherapy
- integrated dual disorder treatment
- medication management
- peer support groups
- psychoeducation
- stabilization services
- wellness activities
If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis, or at risk of a mental health crisis, you’re not alone. Call to learn more about how the compassionate care team at Bedrock can help.
