How To Respond in A Mental Health Emergency: Suicide Prevention

By: Amber J. Parker, PA-C; Author of The Forgotten Caregiver of Mental Crisis.

September is Suicide Prevention Month in the United States. It is vitally important to shine a light on this significant mental health epidemic so that each of us can play a small part in changing the tide, in being aware of others, and in recognizing warning signs of increased suicide risk and giving support to those around us. The number of deaths by suicide each year have increased in the last decade. We must each fight back and fight for life and healing for those around us.

Awareness of Suicide Symptoms is Key

It is important for us to have awareness and understand symptoms and risk of suicide so we can respond in an urgent or emergent moment, getting someone the help they need right away. 

It is no different from learning CPR to help with a cardiac or respiratory emergency.

AFSP and NAMI Suicide Prevention Resources

To read more on suicidal behavior, increased suicide risk, or symptoms or signs to look for, go to these two websites to learn more and educate yourself.

AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)

https://afsp.org/risk-factors-protective-factors-and-warning-signs

NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness)

https://www.nami.org/NAMI/media/NAMI-Media/Images/FactSheets/Suicide-FS.pdf

Both of these websites have phenomenal information, and the links will take you to a page on their website I find especially beneficial. 

I referenced both of these website pages and their information in my book The Forgotten Caregiver of Mental Crisis.

When we increase our awareness and knowledge about suicidal symptoms, behaviors, increased suicide risk, as well as learn about historical, environmental, and health risk factors, we can more effectively support and care for someone we love who is struggling. 

We can also have awareness to pick up on risk or symptoms in others we interact with in our life and can ask how they are doing and offer support.

We Must Know How to Respond in a Suicidal Emergency 

It is important to realize there is an emergency number to call (988) and also that you can go to the nearest emergency room for evaluation.

Memorize the number 988.

In the U.S., 988 is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

You can go directly to an emergency room to be evaluated and cared for. You can also call 988 for assistance in an emergency or if you aren’t sure if the symptoms are increased symptoms but not an emergency.  

If there are increased mental health symptoms or increased suicide risk, call for guidance and support or go immediately to the nearest emergency room for evaluation and necessary care. A behavioral health professional will evaluate and make a decision concerning care and potential hospitalization.

A Mental Health Emergency is an Emergency.

If someone has increased suicidal thoughts or a plan to harm themselves, it is an emergency, and professional assistance is needed right away. 

Know this—A mental health emergency is an emergency.

Seek out treatment right away. Don’t wait.

Reaching out for professional assistance is brave. Know that and pursue the help you, or someone else you care about, needs.

Care for Yourself, and Don’t be Afraid to Reach Out for Help.

Before I finish, I want to encourage you to take care of yourself. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help if you, yourself, are struggling with increased mental health symptoms.

If you are struggling with difficult thoughts or emotions, especially any thoughts of harming yourself or of suicide, tell a trusted friend or mental health professional immediately and get the support you need right away. There is no shame in seeking out mental health therapy to work through difficult stuff and process negative or traumatic events or emotions with a mental health professional. It is incredibly brave to face the difficult “stuff”. It is brave to seek healing and wellness.

Connect with me and Learn About my book: The Forgotten Caregiver of Mental Crisis

You can read more about my book and message at my author website: Amberjparker.com.

You can also begin reading my book for FREE.

Just tell me where to send your sample chapter of my book.

How Can You Improve Suicide Awareness Yourself?

Please share a comment below about what you appreciated from this article. Make sure to share this article with others via text message, social media, email, and otherwise to increase awareness together. Let us raise our voices for those who are struggling to let them know they are not alone. Let us learn how to come alongside them in their battle for life.

Let us increase awareness and education surrounding symptoms of increased suicide risk and not be afraid to seek out care for ourselves or those around us. Let us memorize the number 988 and be willing to go immediately to the emergency room for treatment. Let us treat mental health emergencies like other emergencies and get professional help immediately.

Let us talk about mental health struggles in regular conversations in order to break the stigma and shame surrounding having a mental health struggle.

Take care of yourself and those around you.

Amber J. Parker, PA-C

Physician Assistant, Mental Health Advocate

Focuses: Caregiver Support and Advocacy, Suicide Prevention, & Trauma/PTSD Healing