7 Ways to Reach Out in a Mental Health Crisis

7 Ways to Reach Out in a Mental Health Crisis

Zoe Stilphen

June 1 2021

Talking about your own mental health can be a very difficult conversation. Knowing where to start can be even harder. If you or someone you know are struggling with mental health issues, know that you are not alone.

Reaching out can be the first step towards helping yourself relieve some of the struggle that you may be dealing with internally. Below are eight ways in which you can strategize how to reach out to someone you know, or don’t, to ask for help and support.

If you are feeling suicidal or are at risk of hurting yourself or others, please seek help from your local emergency room or contact the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

Be Blunt.

If you don’t know where to start but feel ready to reach out for help, just do it. Tell a friend, family member, or someone you feel that you can trust. “I am (depressed/anxious/suicidal). I am not sure what I need right now but I do not want to be alone.” Using this phrase or one like it can help both you and the person you are contacting get right to the point and move forward with your communication. It may feel difficult, but know that it is worth it.

Find Distraction.

Text a friend or someone you know that you want a distraction. “Hey Friend, I’m feeling kind of down today. Can we do something to distract me?” Hopefully you and your friend can find something that usually brings you joy to step away from your moments of angst and attempt to find clarity in your thoughts.

Do Check-Ins.

Connect with a sibling or someone you enjoy connecting with and ask them if they can check in on you to see how you’re doing. This could be a daily occurrence, or however often you think would be helpful. Make sure to set a time to check in so that you have something solidified to look forward to. You could see this as a self-care check-in that can benefit both you and the person you are chatting with to work on self reflection and expressing your emotions and experiences with another person.

Talk to a Professional.

If you have the capability, set up an appointment with a psychologist to talk about your mental health with someone who has the proper training to be able to support your improvement. This can be an online appointment or connecting with someone in an office setting. Try to be as open and clear as possible so that you and your therapist get the most out of your time together.

Write It Down.

Journaling or simply writing can be a powerful way to convey how you are feeling, even to yourself. Putting pen to paper can allow you the opportunity to pour out what you are feeling inside and get it out of your head. This can help to relieve racing thoughts and feelings of anxiety that coincide with feeling lost inside your own mind.

If you have any inclination that you or someone you know is struggling, just be there for them or for yourself. Reach out, show that you care, and stay connected.

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255