The Moment Every Parent Dreads
Your child just told you they want to die.
Or you found the cuts on their arm.
Or they’re having a complete breakdown and you don’t know how to help.
Or they just took a bottle of pills.
Your heart is pounding. Your hands are shaking. You don’t know what to do.
Every second feels critical. You need help. Now.
This article is your emergency guide—the numbers to call, the resources available, the steps to take when your child is in a mental health crisis.
Save this. Screenshot it. Print it. Put it somewhere you can find it immediately.
You hope you never need it. But if you do, it’s here.
What Qualifies as a Crisis
A mental health crisis is when your child:
✓ Is actively suicidal with a plan
✓ Has attempted suicide or self-harm requiring medical attention
✓ Is having a psychotic episode (hallucinations, delusions, complete break from reality)
✓ Is a danger to others
✓ Cannot be kept safe at home
✓ Is experiencing severe panic or dissociation and cannot function
If you’re unsure whether it’s a crisis, call a crisis line and ask. Better to overreact than underreact.
Immediate Crisis Resources
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or Text: 988
What it is:
Free, confidential, 24/7 crisis support by phone, text, or chat. Trained counselors help people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
When to use:
- Your child is having suicidal thoughts
- Your child is in severe emotional distress
- You’re worried about your child and need guidance
- You need support navigating a mental health crisis
What happens:
- You’re connected to a trained crisis counselor
- They listen, provide support, and help de-escalate
- They can help create a safety plan
- They can connect you to local resources
- They do NOT automatically send police (only if there’s immediate danger and you request it)
Available in Spanish: Press 2 after dialing 988
For Deaf/Hard of Hearing: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988
Website: 988lifeline.org (also has online chat)
The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Youth)
Call: 1-866-488-7386
Text: “START” to 678-678
Chat: TheTrevorProject.org/get-help
What it is:
24/7 suicide prevention and crisis intervention for LGBTQ+ young people (ages 13-24).
Why it matters:
LGBTQ+ youth are at significantly higher risk for suicide. Trevor Project counselors are trained specifically in LGBTQ+ issues.
Available 24/7.
Crisis Text Line
Text: “HELLO” or “HOME” to 741741
What it is:
Free, 24/7 crisis support via text message.
When to use:
- Your child prefers texting over talking
- You can’t talk on the phone (noisy environment, privacy concerns)
- Panic attacks or anxiety make talking difficult
What happens:
- You’re connected to a trained crisis counselor via text
- They text back and forth with you
- Completely confidential
Available for both youth and parents.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline
Call: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
Text: “NAMI” to 741741
Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 AM – 10 PM ET
What it is:
Information, resource referrals, and support for individuals and families affected by mental illness.
When to use:
- You need help finding local resources
- You need information about mental health conditions
- You need support navigating the system
- You need someone to talk to who understands
Not 24/7, but incredibly helpful during business hours.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Veterans Crisis Line)
Call: Press 1 after dialing 988
Text: 838255
Chat: VeteransCrisisLine.net
For veterans, service members, and their families.
SAMHSA National Helpline
Call: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
What it is:
Treatment referral and information service for individuals and families facing mental health and/or substance use disorders.
Available 24/7, 365 days a year.
When to use:
- You need help finding treatment
- You need information about mental health services
- Your child has co-occurring substance use
When to Call 911
Call 911 if:
✓ Your child has attempted suicide
✓ Your child has taken an overdose
✓ Your child is actively trying to harm themselves and you can’t stop them
✓ Your child is threatening violence toward others
✓ Your child is having a medical emergency related to mental health (seizure, unconscious, severe self-harm)
What to say:
“I need help with my child who is having a mental health crisis. [They’ve taken an overdose / They’re actively harming themselves / They’re threatening suicide]. We need immediate medical assistance. If possible, please send Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) officers.”
Emphasize:
- It’s a mental health crisis, not a criminal situation
- Request CIT officers (specially trained in mental health)
- Mention any weapons in the home
- Give clear address
What will happen:
- Police and/or ambulance will arrive
- They’ll assess the situation
- If your child is determined to be a danger to themselves/others, they’ll be transported to an emergency room
- This can be traumatic, but it’s necessary when safety is the immediate concern
Important consideration for BIPOC families:
Police involvement carries additional risks for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. If possible, use 988 or mobile crisis teams first. But if immediate danger exists, don’t hesitate to call 911.
Mobile Crisis Teams
What they are:
Teams of mental health professionals who come to your location during a crisis (like mental health 911).
When to use:
- Your child is in crisis but doesn’t need medical intervention
- You want professional help without involving police
- Your child needs assessment and de-escalation
How to access:
- Call 988 and ask if mobile crisis is available in your area
- Google “[your county] mobile crisis team”
- Call your local mental health center
What happens:
- Team comes to your home (or wherever the crisis is)
- They assess the situation
- They provide de-escalation and support
- They connect you to services
- They determine if higher level of care is needed
Availability varies by location. Not available everywhere, but expanding rapidly.
Emergency Room
When to go:
- Your child has self-harmed and needs medical attention
- You cannot keep them safe at home
- They’ve taken an overdose (even if they seem “fine”)
- They’re actively suicidal and you can’t de-escalate
- They’re having a psychotic episode
- 988 or mobile crisis recommends it
What will happen:
- Triage: You’ll be seen by intake nurse who will assess urgency
- Medical evaluation: If they’ve harmed themselves or taken something, medical treatment first
- Psychiatric evaluation: Mental health professional will assess
- Possible admission: If they’re determined to be a danger to themselves, they may be admitted to a psychiatric unit
What to bring:
- Insurance card
- List of current medications
- Any relevant medical/psychiatric records you have
- Phone charger
- Comfort items (if they’re calm enough)
Important: ER psychiatric care is often not ideal (long waits, chaotic environment), but it’s necessary when safety is the immediate concern.
Crisis Stabilization Units
What they are:
Short-term residential facilities (3-7 days) where your child can stay during a crisis. Middle ground between ER and home.
When to use:
- Your child is in crisis but doesn’t need ER-level care
- They need 24/7 supervision for a few days
- Home environment isn’t safe right now
- Step-down from ER or alternative to hospitalization
How to access:
- Call 988 and ask about crisis stabilization in your area
- Contact your local mental health center
- Google “[your county] crisis stabilization unit”
What happens:
- Voluntary admission (usually)
- 24/7 supervision by mental health staff
- Medication management
- Crisis counseling
- Discharge planning and connection to ongoing care
Availability: Not available in all areas.
Warmlines (Non-Crisis Support)
What they are:
Peer support lines for when you need to talk but it’s not a crisis.
When to use:
- You’re stressed but not in immediate danger
- You need someone to talk to
- You need support between therapy sessions
- Late night and feeling anxious/sad but safe
National Warmlines:
- NAMI Warmline Directory: nami.org/warmline
- State-specific warmlines: Search “[your state] mental health warmline”
Many states have youth-specific warmlines.
Online Resources
Crisis Text Line (listed above)
IMAlive (Online Crisis Chat)
Website: iimalive.org
What it is:
Online crisis chat staffed by trained volunteers.
Available 24/7.
Teenline
Call: 310-855-HOPE (4673) or 800-TLC-TEEN (852-8336)
Text: “TEEN” to 839863
Hours:
- Call: 6 PM – 10 PM PT daily
- Text: 6 PM – 9 PM PT daily
What it is:
Teens helping teens. Hotline staffed by trained teen volunteers (supervised by licensed professionals).
For teens who might feel more comfortable talking to a peer.
YouthLine (Oregon-based but available nationally via text/chat)
Call: 877-968-8491 (Oregon only)
Text: “teen2teen” to 839863 (National)
Chat: theyouthline.org/chat
Hours: 4 PM – 10 PM PT
Peer-to-peer support.
Resources by Specific Situation
Self-Harm
S.A.F.E. Alternatives
Website: selfinjury.com
Call: 1-800-DONT-CUT (366-8288)
Information, resources, and support for people who self-harm and their families.
Eating Disorders
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) Helpline
Call: 1-800-931-2237
Text: “NEDA” to 741741
Chat: nationaleatingdisorders.org
Crisis support, information, and treatment referrals.
Substance Use
SAMHSA National Helpline (listed above)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Treatment referrals, information, support.
Sexual Assault
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)
Call: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
Chat: online.rainn.org
24/7 support for survivors of sexual assault.
Domestic Violence
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Call: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Text: “START” to 88788
Website: thehotline.org
24/7 support for people experiencing domestic violence.
Human Trafficking
National Human Trafficking Hotline
Call: 1-888-373-7888
Text: 233733
24/7 support and referrals.
Runaway Youth
National Runaway Safeline
Call: 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929)
Text or Chat: 1800runaway.org
24/7 crisis intervention and referrals for runaway and homeless youth.
What to Do BEFORE a Crisis
Preparation makes crises more manageable.
1. Create a safety plan with your child
(See Safety Plan article in “For a Loved One” section—same principles apply)
Include:
- Warning signs
- Coping strategies
- People to contact
- Professional resources
- How to make environment safe
2. Know where your local ER is
- Know the address
- Know the route
- Know if they have a psychiatric unit
3. Save crisis numbers in your phone
- 988
- Crisis Text Line: 741741
- Local mobile crisis team
- Your child’s therapist/psychiatrist
- Trusted family/friend who can help
4. Know your insurance coverage
- Does your insurance cover ER visits?
- Psychiatric hospitalization?
- What’s your copay/deductible?
5. Have a crisis kit ready
In one bag/folder:
- Insurance card
- List of medications
- Medical history
- Psychiatric records (diagnoses, recent evaluations)
- Contact info for therapist/psychiatrist
- Emergency contacts
- Phone chargers
After the Crisis
Once immediate danger has passed:
1. Follow-up care is critical
Your child needs:
- Follow-up with therapist within 24-48 hours
- Possible medication adjustment
- Increased level of care (IOP, PHP, hospitalization if recommended)
- Updated safety plan
Don’t just “go back to normal.” The crisis was a sign that current treatment isn’t sufficient.
2. Debrief
With your child (when they’re stable):
- What triggered the crisis?
- What helped?
- What do they need going forward?
With your support system:
- Process your own feelings
- Ask for help
3. Take care of yourself
You’ve just been through trauma.
- Talk to your own therapist
- Lean on support system
- Rest
- Give yourself grace
What You Need to Remember
✓ 988 is the main number to know—call or text for any crisis
✓ Mobile crisis teams and crisis stabilization units are alternatives to ER/911
✓ Have crisis numbers saved in your phone before you need them
✓ Create a safety plan before a crisis happens
✓ Follow-up care after a crisis is critical
Crises are terrifying. But help exists.
You’re not alone. Resources are available 24/7.
When your child is in crisis, you’ll know what to do. Because you’ve prepared. And because help is just a phone call away.
