When someone’s in a mental health crisis, they may threaten or seek to harm themselves, others, or property. Sometimes, a crisis can happen quickly and without warning. Other times, you may have warning signs before a crisis starts.

Mental health warning signs include:

• Problems with daily living: They may stop bathing, brushing their teeth or hair, or changing their clothes.
• Mood changes: Extreme or sudden in nature.
• Increased anger or irritability: They may get more and more upset.
• Abusive or risky behavior: Substance use or self-harm.
• Social isolation: Staying in their room or home or refusing to see or interact with anyone.
• Paranoia: Thinking someone is out to harm them or get them.
• Psychosis: Hallucinations, seeing or hearing things, and delusions, thoughts that aren’t based in reality. They may also use made-up words or speech that doesn't make sense.

Suicide is a major public health concern in the United States. It impacts people of every age, but in some age groups, suicide rates have reached alarming levels. Anyone who has thoughts of suicide and self-harm needs professional help right away. 

Yet, it's not always clear when someone needs help, especially if they may keep their pain to themselves. If you recognize the warning signs, you can get help.

Suicide warning signs include:

• Giving away things they own or love
• Making or changing a will or tying up loose ends, like repaying debts
• Strange conversations, like saying goodbye or going away forever
• Saying things like "nothing matters," "I wish I were never born," or "no one will miss me when I'm gone"
• Increasing drug or alcohol use
• Withdrawing from families, friends, and daily activities
• Looking up ways to kill oneself
• Buying a weapon or storing pills

Any mental and behavioral health disorder can trigger a mental health crisis. The most common disorders that cause someone to seek care in the emergency department include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Personality disorders
• Substance use

If you or someone you love feels out of control or is at risk of harm to themselves or others, you need help right away.

If you're experiencing a mental health crisis, help is available 24/7. Carilion CONNECT is your first step to connect with the right level of care, including emergency services if needed.

Carilion CONNECT

CONNECT is our 24-hour hotline for mental health care evaluation and referral. We're here when you or a loved one is in crisis or has thoughts of self-harm or suicide 

For 24/7 confidential mental health support, call Carilion CONNECT at 540-981-8181 or toll-free at 800-284-8898. The mental health professional can recommend the best resources to help you. If needed, the CONNECT professional may also recommend that you go to a Carilion emergency department for more immediate care.

CONNECT offers 24/7 emergency mental health evaluations at all Carilion emergency departments.

ED Bridge to Treatment

If substance use triggers a crisis, our ED Bridge to Treatment can provide on-the-spot treatment for substance use disorders. We then help connect you to our outpatient addiction care so you can start on the road to recovery.