If you are reading this because someone is in danger right now, stop reading and call 988. The rest of this guide is for the next quiet moment, when you can plan for the one after.
When to call 988
Call 988 if you or someone you know is suicidal, in emotional crisis, or struggling with thoughts of harm. The line reaches trained counselors twenty-four hours a day, in many languages, and the call is free. You do not need to be certain it is an emergency to call. If the question even occurred to you, that is enough.
When to call 911 or go to the ER
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department if there is a medical emergency - an overdose, a serious injury, a seizure, or a suicide attempt in progress. If you have naloxone and someone is overdosing, administer it, then call 911. Good recovery includes knowing exactly which door to walk through when seconds matter.
What to do while you wait
If you are with someone in crisis, do not leave them alone. Remove access to means if you can do it safely. Speak calmly and do not argue. Do not promise a secrecy you cannot keep - their life matters more than their trust in the moment. If they will let you, move toward help together: a call, a door, a person who can take the next step with you.
After the emergency
An emergency is not the end of the story; it is the start of the next plan. Once the person is safe, contact their treatment team, their primary care doctor, or an admissions line the same day. The hours after a crisis are when people are often most willing to accept help. Have the next step ready before the fear wears off - because it will.
Your next step starts with one call.
Recovery is a practice, not a destination - and you do not have to build it alone. Whether you are ready to begin admissions or simply have a question, our team is here 24 hours a day. No pressure, no judgment, only a conversation about what you need.