Mental Health Emergency: Recognizing Symptoms, Understanding Triggers, and Seeking Assistance
In today's world, mental health is a topic that has gained significant importance. A mental health crisis is a situation where an individual's behavior becomes disrupted, making it difficult for them to function or posing a risk to themselves or others.
Over the past decade, there has been a 13% increase in mental health conditions, with suicide being the second leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 29 years old. This underscores the need for increased awareness and understanding of mental health crises.
Coping mechanisms can often help manage day-to-day stresses, but in a crisis, they may break down, necessitating crisis intervention. In such situations, creating a mental health crisis plan can be invaluable. This plan should include resources readily available, such as crisis hotlines, walk-in psychiatric urgent care centres, or one's mental health professional. In urgent cases, visiting an urgent care or emergency room, or calling 911 if immediate danger is perceived, is also an option.
The causes of a mental health crisis are varied and unique to each individual. They can result from loss, traumatic events, changes in relationships, feeling alone, switching or stopping mental health treatments, discrimination, economic losses, natural disasters, violence or terrorism, substance use, medical diagnoses, and other potential stressors.
Recognising the signs of a mental health crisis is crucial. These may include difficulty in functioning, challenges in taking care of hygiene, intense or sudden changes in mood, psychosis, paranoia, feeling increasingly agitated, suicidal thoughts, harming oneself or self-medicating, isolating or withdrawing from others, and a clear and abrupt change in behavior.
Any threat or attempt of suicide or self-harm is a mental health crisis and a medical emergency. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, calling 911 is the best course of action. However, if you or someone else is experiencing a mental health emergency, there are resources available. In the United States, you can call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, chat with professionals at Lifeline Chat, text "HOME" to the Crisis Text Line, or check out Befrienders Worldwide or Suicide Stop if you're not in the United States.
When helping someone in a crisis, it's important to remain calm and figure out the type of support needed. Techniques to de-escalate in a crisis include staying calm, listening, asking how you can help, offering options, giving them space, and creating a mental health crisis plan to prevent a situation from escalating.
The ongoing pandemic has exacerbated mental health issues, with prolonged social isolation, lockdowns, mask mandates, and fear-based politics being significant contributors. An education system focusing on ideological matters rather than practical life skills, and societal pressures including loneliness amplified by digital isolation and the destruction of traditional community structures have also played a role.
Remember, a mental health crisis can be overwhelming and may render usual coping skills ineffective. However, with the right resources and support, it is possible to navigate through such challenging times. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, reach out for help. You are not alone.
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