Mental Health Emergency
A mental health eergency is a life threatening situation in which an individual is imminently threatening harm to self or others, severely disoriented or out of touch with reality, has a severe inability to function, or is otherwise distraught and out of control.
Examples of a Mental Health Emergency include:
- Acting on a suicide threat
- Homicidal or threatening behavior
- Self-injury needing immediate medical attention
- Severely impaired by drugs or alcohol
- Highly erratic or unusual behavior that indicates very unpredictable behavior and/or an inability to care for themselves.
Suggestions for What to Do in Case of a Mental Health Emergency
Call 9-1-1, and be sure to remove yourself from any imminent danger.
Mental Health Crisis
A mental health crisis is a non-life threatening situation in which an individual is exhibiting extreme emotional disturbance or behavioral distress, considering harm to self or others, disoriented or out of touch with reality, has a compromised ability to function, or is otherwise agitated and unable to be calmed.
Examples of a Mental Health Crisis include:
- Talking about suicide threats
- Talking about threatening behavior
- Self-injury, but not needing immediate medical attention
- Alcohol or substance abuse
- Highly erratic or unusual behavior
- Eating disorders
- Not taking their prescribed psychiatric medications
- Emotionally distraught, very depressed, angry or anxious
Suggestions for What to Do in Case of a Mental Health Crisis
- Please call 1-800-838-1381. This SLO County emergency number is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. State that you have a person in crisis.
- If possible, remain with the person until help arrives.