Choose urgent help
Call 911 for immediate danger, suspected overdose or a medical emergency. Call or text 988 for suicidal thoughts, emotional distress or a substance-use crisis. You can reach out for yourself or someone else. Website forms are not an emergency response channel.
Support without taking sole responsibility
Listen calmly and take safety concerns seriously. Ask directly about suicide when concerned. Do not promise secrecy about imminent danger; help connect the person with professional support. Follow guidance from emergency responders or crisis counselors.
Plan the next connection
After crisis care, ask for written discharge instructions, follow-up appointments and a safety plan. Confirm who to contact if symptoms worsen. Families can help with transport and connection, with consent, without becoming solely responsible for another person’s safety.
References & additional reading
- 1.988 Lifeline · Help someone else
- 2.NIMH · Helping children and adolescents cope with traumatic events
This guide summarizes general education, not a diagnosis or personalized treatment recommendation. References include research and official guidance; findings may not apply to every individual.