Defining a Mental Health Crisis

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), a mental health crisis is “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”.

Anyone can experience a mental health crisis. They can even occur in people without a diagnosed mental health condition. So, it’s important for everyone in a community to be on the lookout for friends, family, and acquaintances who need help.

We use the words “mental health crisis” and “mental health emergency” interchangeably to refer to any of these situations. You may also hear them referred to as a “mental breakdown”, a “nervous breakdown”, or other similar terms. The important thing to note is that if a person’s behavior is causing them to be a danger to themselves or others, they need immediate help.

Recognizing the Signs

Just like the people experiencing them, every crisis presents itself differently. Crises may develop over time or occur rather suddenly. Warning signs can be difficult to spot or even nonexistent.

To the person experiencing the crisis, the feeling may be totally overwhelming. They may feel that they’re losing control. They may have difficulty finding ways to handle these feelings. In this state, it is difficult to identify their own options for getting help. And their inability to cope can make it difficult to reach out on their own. Before this level of crisis develops, early intervention can make a world of difference.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), the most common indication is “a clear and abrupt change in behavior”. If someone is acting very differently from normal, they may be struggling with their mental health.

Common Behaviors of a Person in Crisis

Here are some common signs that a person is experiencing a mental health crisis:

• Dramatic changes in personality, mood, and/or behavior

• Drug or alcohol use

• Inability to perform daily tasks (getting out of bed, brushing teeth, bathing, etc.)

• Rapid mood swings

• Self-harm or self-medicating

• Psychosis (experiencing hallucinations or delusions)

• Paranoia

• Increased agitation, abusive or violent behavior

• Thoughts or talk of suicide

This is not a comprehensive list, and a person in crisis may present different or multiple warning signs at once.