Getting Help in Crisis

IN TIMES OF CRISIS

Please note: If there is immediate concern for your safety or the safety of others, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. The information provided below is not instructional nor medical or psychiatric advice. Please read our “Terms of Conditions” and “Medical Disclaimer.”

Therapy for Muslims, LLC recognizes the increasing number of risks to black men, individuals with disabilities and with mental health disorders becoming victims of police brutality. We understand the hesitation, fear and mistrust of police and how it feels increasingly scary to call 911 for help. This is an unfortunate situation fueled by multiple issues including white supremacy, lack of mental health training and financial and manpower strain on local behavioral health services for the community. You and your neighbors have the right to advocate for your community by demanding that police officers and EMTs be trained in mental health first aid in order to increase mental health awareness among first responders.

CONTENTS

What do I do if I am having thoughts of suicide and/or a plan?

Please note: if there is immediate concern for your safety or the safety of others, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

If you are having thoughts of suicide, please know that there is always help:

1. Call the suicide hotline
2. Inform a friend or family member you trust
3. If you have a therapist and a psychiatrist, call immediately to schedule an appointment. Please know that because neither your psychiatrist and/or therapist are crisis responders, if you feel you are in imminent danger and need help immediately call your local mobile crisis line and/or go to the nearest ER.
4. If you do not have a therapist or psychiatrist, use our directory or other directories (links for both) to find someone. You can read more about what therapy is, the types of mental health treatments , and how to choose a provider.

What To Do If Someone Says They Are Suicidal

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you are concerned for your immediate safety or the safety of others.

It can be scary when someone tells you they are having thoughts of suicide. You may not be sure what to do, which is understandable. We have put together a list of key actions you can take.

Please note: THIS IS NOT A COMPREHENSIVE OUTLINE OF WHAT TO DO.

Please read the following links to get a better understanding of what you can do if someone discloses that they are suicidal.

1. 1. Suicide
    What to Do When Someone is Suicidal
  2. ACT
    What to Look For

If the person discloses that they do not have a plan but are having thoughts:

1. 1. Call your local crisis center so they can have a crisis evaluation at their home or call so they can be evaluated at the hospital
  2. Encourage them to seek counseling (search our directory or other mental health directories.) If they already have a mental health provider, encourage them to contact them and make an appointment ASAP
  3. Involve their family members and/or friends by informing them immediately
  4. Check on them and make sure you also have support for yourself as it can be emotionally difficult to be in this position
  5. Do not promise to keep the fact that they are having suicidal thoughts a secret
  6. Do not shame the person for disclosing their thoughts to you

If the person discloses that they have a plan or have attempted suicide:

1. 1. Do not promise to keep this a secret
  2. Don’t leave the person alone
  3. Do not shame the person for disclosing their thoughts to you
  4. Remove all sharp objects nearby if you can
  5. Remove any nearby drugs and alcohol
  6. Make sure firearms are locked in a secure place
  7. Inform one of their family members and/or friends

Other Mental Health Crises

Mental health crises are not just when someone says they will harm themselves and/or others. You can also call the mobile crisis team when someone is exhibiting other mental health symptoms that will make them harmful to themselves and or others if they deteriorate further.

If someone is getting increasingly verbally loud and aggressive and beginning to show physical aggression (especially if they have a history of physical aggression), refusing to eat or drink because they believe someone is poisoning their food or hiding in their room out of fear that someone is following them (without any sufficient evidence to confirm) are some examples of when you can call mobile crisis.

Remember, you can ALWAYS request a mobile crisis team for a wellness check. If you can involve other individuals to help you safely transport the person to the nearest emergency room without having to call 911, then you must make your decision based on your level of comfort and belief that you all will be safe during the ride to the hospital. If there is concern for the immediate safety of the person, yourself or others, then do not delay and call 911.

How Do I Get Help for Myself and Others?

Please note: If there is immediate concern for your safety or the safety of others, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Each county of each state in the US has a mobile crisis team, or is in the process of assembling one, expanding their program and crisis intervention efforts/initiative. Canada also has mobile crisis teams at their distress/crisis centers. The mobile crisis team is available 24/7, 365 days a year and can come to any location to perform a mental health assessment and wellness check.

If they determine that the person is at imminent risk to themselves or others, the clinician with the crisis team will sign legal documents to have the adult transported to the nearest hospital for further assessment and hospitalization.

If the adult is not agreeable to going or is not able to make decisions for themselves due to their mental state, the clinician from the mobile crisis team will have to transport them on an involuntary status to the nearest hospital (specific legal documents must be filled out by them which will then be presented to a judge later). Sometimes police officers may accompany the mobile crisis team on the visit. Unfortunately, if there is resistance by the person, be aware the accompanying police officers may have to handcuff them or restrain them to transport them. This can be very distressing to witness, so be prepared.

If it is a child in crisis (under 18 years of age) and the parents are not agreeable to having the child be sent to the hospital despite the child being at risk of harming themselves or others, most states lean towards calling Child Protective Services as refusal by the parents can be considered child neglect. Please note, you can discuss this with the mobile crisis clinician when they arrive.

Each mobile crisis team has a different protocol, so it is best if you ask them about any concerns you may have, including if the police come with the team, when they will arrive and other related concerns. Find your local crisis team here.

What To Say When You Call Either A Crisis Line Or 911

They will also ask you your name and contact info and the name and contact info of the person in crisis. If you’re calling for yourself, have a friend or family member you trust with you for support.

- - 1) Clearly state this is a “mental health emergency”
  - 2) Inform them of what you’re experiencing and in the case of others, their behavior that is concerning you.
  - 3) Ask if police will come. If they will, ask for officers with Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training. Counties that do not have crisis clinicians will have law enforcement officers trained in CIT
  - 4) Confirm when the mobile crisis team will arrive

Here are additional helpful resources you can read for important information on what to do in a crisis:

REMEMBER: if there is immediate danger and harm, call 911 immediately.

Getting Help After Sexual Assault

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted:

- - Make sure you/they are in a safe place
  - What happened was NOT your/their fault.
  - Call the national sexual assault hotline: 1-800-656-4673. Available 24/7
    (This hotline is run by RAINN: the largest anti-sexual violence organization in the US).
    They will connect you to a local sexual assault service provider who can help you by giving you additional support, including a trained advocate to help you in the process of getting help.
  - Read more on the next steps to take
    
    REMEMBER: CALL THE HOTLINE LISTED ABOVE FOR FURTHER ADVICE.

Getting Help in Cases of Domestic Violence

- - If you are in an abusive relationship or you know of someone who is in an abusive relationship (USA) call 1-800-799-7233 for help and support.
  - If you are in Canada, visit the website and call the number for your province listed
  - The National Domestic Violence Hotline
    A compiled list of resources for support and information to help you and your loved ones

If you know of a family member or friend in an abusive relationship you can learn more here:

- - Help for friends and family
  - The National Domestic Violence Hotline has a trove of information that you will find helpful.
    REMEMBER: CALL THE HOTLINE LISTED ABOVE FOR FURTHER ADVICE.