Emergency Mental Health Resources

Emergency Support

Mental Health emergencies usually involve risk of suicide or an actual suicide attempt. Quite often, if someone is in the midst of a severe emotional crisis, they will not willingly go to an emergency room or seek immediate professional help. If you or someone you know is experiencing this, there are ways to get help.

In the US

If you reside in the US and require immediate medical attention you should call 911. They can and will dispatch someone to your location.

There is also the National Suicide Prevention which can be reached at 1-800-273-TALK or you can engage in a live chat by clicking here.

You can also communicate by text with a crisis counselor and receive free 24/7 support from the Crisis Text Line by testing “Home” to 741741.

Outside the US

  • United Kingdom 116 123
  • Australia 13 11 14
  • South Africa 0800 567 567
  • Canada 1-833-456-6366
  • Germany 0800 111 0 111
online therapy any time of day illustration

Non-Emergent Support

If the person in need of help is not at risk of experiencing or causing any kind immediate physical harm, either to themselves or those around them, they have several options.

Professional Therapy

For issues that are not life threatening, you can seek mental health counseling online or in-person therapy. The main difference between the two are the methods of communication. In-person sessions take place in a therapist’s office where you and the therapists can see each other face to face. This is helpful for picking up body language and other nonverbal cues. Online Therapy is more convenient because you can simply log onto a website or app and have the session conducted from the comfort of your own home, office or any surrounding you choose. Many online therapists have flexible scheduling, making it easier for you to fit a session into your day.

Types of Mental Health Professionals

  • Psychiatrist – A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (an M.D. or D.O.) that specializes in mental health, including substance use disorders. Psychiatrists are qualified to assess both the mental and physical aspects of psychological problems.
  • Psychologist – A psychologist is a mental health professional that specializes in the treatment of mental health problems and human behavior.
  • LPC – An LPC is a licensed professional counselor. LPCs provide mental health services that focus on behavioral, emotional and mental issues in various healthcare settings. Depending on the state, they may be called a licensed clinical professional counselor, licensed mental health counselor or something similar.
  • LCSW/LISW – LISW stands for Licensed Independent Social Worker. LISW responsibilities are most similar to that of an LCSW. LISWs need clinical experience hours and are empowered to provide care independently. They may work in a more specialized fashion with a chosen population, such as the elderly.
  • LMFT – Licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT) focus more specifically on the relational and interpersonal dynamics within families, marriages, and couples.
  • Drug Abuse Counselor – A substance abuse counselor is a mental health counselor specializing in treating patients who have a chemical dependency on drugs or alcohol. Whether counseling addicts or those who fear they will become addicts, a substance abuse counselor works with their client to help them overcome their dependency and become self-sufficient.
  • Pastoral Counselor – Pastoral Counseling is a unique form of psychotherapy which uses spiritual resources as well as psychological understanding for healing and growth. It is provided by certified pastoral counselors, that are not only mental health professionals but who have also had in-depth religious and/or theological training.