What to Do During a Youth Mental Health Crisis
If your child or youth is in distress, you are not alone. This page will help you focus on what matters most in the moment: safety, support, and connection.
If there is immediate danger:
Call 911 (request a youth mental health crisis-trained response if available), or contact 988 for 24/7 support.
Call 911 (request a youth mental health crisis-trained response if available), or contact 988 for 24/7 support.
Focus on These 3 Steps
In a crisis, you don’t need to do everything — just focus on these key actions.
1. Stay Calm & Present
- Use a steady, reassuring voice
- Let them know you are there
- Avoid arguing or trying to “fix” everything
2. Get Support
- Call or text 988
- Contact a trusted provider or crisis line
- Reach out to someone you trust
3. Keep Everyone Safe
- Stay with your youth if possible
- Remove harmful items if you can
- Move to a calmer space
What to Say (and What Not to Say)
💬 Try: “I’m here with you. We’ll figure this out together.”
💬 Try: “Can you tell me what’s going on?”
⚠️ Avoid: “You’ll get over it.”
⚠️ Avoid: “This isn’t a big deal.”
When to Seek Immediate Help
- Talking about suicide or wanting to die
- Has a plan or access to means
- Severe self-harm or unsafe behavior
- You are unsure about safety
After the Immediate Crisis
Once things are stable, the next step is ongoing support and recovery.