If You Are in Crisis, Safety First
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, thoughts of suicide, or any emergency situation, please seek immediate help. Do not wait. Do not rely on this screening tool in a crisis.
Immediate Help Available 24/7
Call or Text 988 - Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Available 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress
- • Press 1 for Veterans Crisis Line
- • En Espanol: Press 2
- • TTY: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988
Text HELLO to 741741 - Crisis Text Line
Free, 24/7 crisis support via text message
- • Text conversation with a trained crisis counselor
- • Available anywhere in the US
Call 911
If you or someone else is in immediate danger:
- • Risk of harm to self or others
- • Medical emergency related to mental health
Go to Your Nearest Emergency Room
- • If you are experiencing a psychiatric emergency
- • If you need immediate evaluation and stabilization
International Crisis Resources
If you are outside the United States:
- •Find a Helpline - findahelpline.com
- •International Association for Suicide Prevention - iasp.info
- •Contact local emergency services in your country
What Constitutes a Mental Health Emergency?
Seek immediate help if you or someone you know is experiencing:
- •Thinking about suicide or making plans to end your life
- •Feeling like you want to hurt yourself or others
- •Engaging in self-harm behaviors
- •Hearing voices or seeing things that others do not
- •Feeling detached from reality
- •Severe panic or anxiety that feels uncontrollable
- •Extreme mood swings or emotional instability
- •Inability to care for yourself (eating, sleeping, hygiene)
- •Sudden changes in behavior that concern others
- •Substance use that is putting you or others at risk
What to Expect When You Call for Help
When You Call 988
- • A trained crisis counselor will answer
- • They will listen without judgment
- • They will help assess the situation
- • They may provide coping strategies
- • They can connect you with local resources
- • They can stay on the line as long as you need
When You Go to the ER
- • Triage to assess severity and urgency
- • Evaluation by a mental health professional
- • Safety assessment
- • Possible admission for stabilization if needed
- • Referrals for follow-up care
Warning Signs to Watch For
Warning Signs in Yourself
- • Thinking about death or suicide frequently
- • Feeling hopeless or trapped
- • Feeling unbearable emotional pain
- • Withdrawing from friends and family
- • Giving away possessions or saying goodbye
- • Increased substance use
- • Dramatic mood swings
- • Sleeping too much or too little
- • Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
- • Feeling like a burden to others
- • Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- • Reckless or impulsive behavior
- • Expressing feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Warning Signs in Others
- • Talking about wanting to die or end their life
- • Looking for ways to harm themselves
- • Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose
- • Acting anxious, agitated, or reckless
- • Withdrawing from social interactions
- • Displaying extreme mood swings
- • Increased substance use
This Service is NOT a Crisis Service
Critical Information
- •The MBHS screening tool is NOT designed to provide crisis intervention
- •This is a screening tool, not an emergency service
- •We do not monitor results in real-time
- •We cannot provide immediate crisis response
- •If you are in crisis, use the resources listed above immediately
If You Are in Crisis Right Now:
- • Stop using this tool
- • Call 988 or text HELLO to 741741
- • Call 911 if you are in immediate danger
- • Go to your nearest emergency room
After a Crisis: Next Steps
Follow-Up Care is Critical
- •Schedule an appointment with a mental health professional
- •Follow all discharge instructions from emergency care
- •Take prescribed medications as directed
- •Attend follow-up appointments
- •Build a support network of trusted friends or family
- •Create a safety plan with your therapist
- •Remove access to means of self-harm if applicable
Creating a Safety Plan
- •Identify warning signs that a crisis may be developing
- •List coping strategies that help you feel better
- •Identify people you can reach out to for support
- •List professional contacts and crisis numbers
- •Make your environment safe (remove potential means of harm)
- •Write down reasons for living and things that give you hope
Resources for Ongoing Support
National Resources
- • NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
- • SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357
- • Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1) or text 838255
- • LGBTQ+ Youth: Trevor Project - 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678
- • Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
- • Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
Online Resources
- • MentalHealth.gov
- • NIMH.nih.gov (National Institute of Mental Health)
- • NAMI.org
- • SAMHSA.gov
- • SuicidePreventionLifeline.org
For Family Members and Loved Ones
Supporting Someone in Crisis
- • Take all talk of suicide seriously
- • Listen without judgment
- • Ask directly: "Are you thinking about suicide?"
- • Do not leave them alone if they are in immediate danger
- • Remove access to means of self-harm
- • Call 988 or 911 if needed
- • Encourage professional help
- • Follow up after the immediate crisis passes
Resources for Caregivers and Family
- • NAMI Family Support Groups - nami.org
- • Mental Health America - mhanational.org
- • Caregiver support through SAMHSA
- • Local support groups for families of those with mental illness
For B2B Therapists
Professional Responsibilities
- • You are responsible for assessing suicide risk during clinical encounters
- • The MBHS tool is a screening aid, not a comprehensive risk assessment
- • Always conduct a thorough clinical evaluation when suicide risk is indicated
- • Document all risk assessments and safety plans
- • Follow your professional ethical guidelines and legal requirements
- • Implement appropriate interventions based on risk level
- • Ensure clients have access to crisis resources
Risk Management Best Practices
- • Provide crisis numbers to all clients (988, local emergency services)
- • Have a protocol for responding to high-risk assessments
- • Ensure adequate follow-up for clients with concerning results
- • Maintain professional liability insurance
- • Consult with colleagues when uncertain about risk level
- • Maintain clear documentation of all clinical decisions
Remember: You Are Not Alone
Important Reminders
- • Mental health crises are temporary
- • Help is available, and recovery is possible
- • Many people have been where you are and found their way through
- • Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness
- • Your life matters, and people care about you
Crisis situations can feel overwhelming, but they are temporary. With support and professional help, you can get through this. Please reach out for help today.
Questions About This Page?
If you have questions about:
- •Crisis resources: Call 988 for guidance on available support
- •The MBHS assessment: Email support@mbhs.com
- •Your immediate safety: Call 988, 911, or go to the nearest emergency room
Your safety is the top priority. When in doubt, reach out for help.