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Emergency Situations:
What to Do When Your Child Is in a Mental Health Crisis

Jemma Strain
Published: 03/21/2025 | Updated: 06/26/2025
Authored by: Jemma Strain, B.S. Psychology
Edited by: Emma Loker, BSc, PgDip
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Mental health crisis intervention for teens may be needed now more than ever. 

Research shows that mental health conditions in teens, such as depression, are on the rise. In 2023, roughly 20% of teens experienced a major depressive episode, with 13.4% having serious thoughts about suicide. Moreover, in 2022, 6.5% of U.S. teens made a suicide plan, and 3.7% actually tried to take their own life. To put it another way, around 935,000 teenagers attempted suicide that year.1

If your child is experiencing a mental health crisis, this is, undoubtedly, an extremely distressing time for you both. You may feel overwhelmed and lost about what steps to take, but you are not alone. 

Emergency services understand how to help and protect your child if their immediate safety is at risk. If your child’s safety is not an immediate concern, professional mental health support can protect their well-being from spiraling further. 

The signs of a mental health crisis can differ from teen to teen. This article can help you prepare for an emergency situation by covering:

  • What urgent mental health care for kids is
  • Signs a child mental health crisis intervention is needed
  • What to do in a teen mental health crisis
  • How to intervene in a child mental health crisis
  • Emergency mental health treatment options for teens
Mental Health Crisis

What Is Urgent Mental Health Care for Kids?

Determining whether your child is having a mental health crisis can be tough. You might not know if what they’re going through is a bad phase or if you should be concerned about their safety. 

Recently, it was found that around one in four teenagers feel persistently sad or hopeless on occasion. Unfortunately, this high number is quite alarming; hopelessness can be one of the most difficult human emotions to experience. It can lead to mental and physical health problems, reduced motivation, and even suicidal thoughts and attempts.2

For this reason, if you’re concerned about your child’s mental health and safety, it may be time to consider urgent mental health care for kids. If immediate safety is your major worry, the nation’s emergency departments are the first point of care.3

It’s good to be aware that there is some professional disagreement between how the terms “mental health crisis” and “mental health emergency” are used, with some thinking that an emergency is life-threatening, while a crisis is not. However, the National Institute of Mental Health uses these terms interchangeably. 

Understanding the signs of a mental health crisis in your child can help you know how to manage a child’s mental health emergency. You don’t have to handle the situation alone, there are actions you can take every step of the way to get support. 

Signs Child Mental Health Crisis Intervention is Needed

The warning signs of a teen or child mental crisis include: 4-6

  • Isolating themselves from friends or family
  • Finding it difficult to function in day-to-day life, such as at school and home
  • Self-harming, such as by cutting or burning
  • Showing extreme emotions and actions, such as anger and aggression, or damaging property
  • Threatening to hurt themselves or someone else
  • Having or talking about suicidal thoughts, such as saying they “Won’t be around anymore,” or “I want to die.”
  • Showing signs of psychosis, such as hallucinations or delusions
  • Experiencing paranoia

Typically, these signs of a mental health crisis are extreme. This means they may be far removed from your child’s typical emotions and behaviors. As the American Psychological Association puts it, these warning signs are a “clear and abrupt” change in behavior. 

If you’re worried about your child’s mental health, but don’t think their immediate safety is at risk, there are actions you can take. A mental health professional can provide advice and support – but it’s important not to wait. Mental health conditions can get worse without treatment, meaning that conditions such as major depression can lead to behaviors such as self-harm and suicide attempts. 

However, if you’re concerned about your child’s safety, you may need to take immediate steps to protect their well-being – such as calling 911 or a mental health crisis hotline for teens.

What to Do in a Teen Mental Health Crisis

A mental health crisis is when a teen is at risk of harming themselves or others, or if their actions or emotions are uncontrollable. How you proceed can depend on a couple of factors, such as:4

  • Whether you feel their life is in immediate danger – considered a “physical emergency”
  • If you think they’re experiencing a mental health crisis, but their life isn’t at immediate risk
  • The resources available to you

 

If you feel like there is an immediate risk to your child’s or someone else’s life, it’s important to take action straight away. Calling 911 for a child’s mental health emergency is the best route to take. The following advice for calling 911 can help. 

Tips for Calling 911 for a Child’s Mental Health Emergency:

If your situation is life-threatening, if possible, bring your child to your local emergency department. Medical staff can help you keep your child safe. However, 911 assistance is also available 24 hours a day. 

Alternatively, you can call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Calling 988 can connect you with one of the 200 available crisis counselors.7

If the situation calls for 911, aim to…

  • Let the operator know that your child is experiencing a mental health crisis. They will have mental health-trained responders who can help with your situation, so it’s important that they have this information. 
  • Ask if they have a children’s mental health team, as these people will best understand youth mental health and the steps to take to help.
  • Give the operator as much detail about the situation as possible, as this means they will be able to provide you with the support you need. 

If you’re confident that your child’s safety is not in immediate danger, there are other steps you can take. However, if your child is experiencing a mental health crisis, it’s still important to seek professional mental health advice as soon as possible. 

Child Mental Health Crisis Intervention

As mentioned, if you’re concerned about a teenager’s immediate physical safety, it’s important not to wait to intervene. Discussing your concerns with them will not put the idea of suicide in their head. Instead, it can help you determine how serious they are about thinking about ending their life. Thoughts about suicide are not uncommon for teens, but it is an emergency situation if they’re making plans to attempt it. 

When talking to your child about suicide, the following steps can help.

What to Do When Your Child Is Suicidal:8

  • Express how worried you are about changes in their emotions and actions
  • Gently, but directly, ask them if they have thoughts about ending their own life
  • Question whether they have a plan or steps in mind about how they would end their life
  • Listen to what they’re saying non-judgmentally
  • Paraphrase what they’re saying, letting them know you hear them
  • Tell them they’re not alone and you can get them support to help them feel better
  • Discuss the option of professional mental health support and how it can help them
  • If you’re concerned about their immediate safety, follow the steps for calling 911 or a crisis hotline discussed previously

If you’re not immediately concerned about your child’s physical well-being, there are other steps you can take in a mental health crisis. 

Non-Life-Threatening Mental Health Crisis Plan for Children

Even if your child’s situation is not immediately life-threatening, if they’re experiencing a mental health crisis, it is still an emergency situation that requires urgent action. 

The following steps can help you make a mental health crisis plan for children.4,9

1. Talk to Them About Your Concerns

Explain how you’re worried about their emotions and actions, and how it’s different from their usual state. Make sure you create a safe space for them to share, free from distractions and stress. Tell them, in no uncertain terms, that no matter what they’re going through, you’re here to support, love, and help them. 

2. Arrange a Mental Health Assessment

If your child is not currently receiving mental health treatment, it’s important to arrange an assessment. Your family doctor or mental health treatment services can arrange a comprehensive evaluation of your child’s needs and the most appropriate treatment options based on these. 

3. Contact Their Mental Health Professional

If your child is already receiving mental health treatment, their care provider can guide you on what to do based on their knowledge of your child’s symptoms and condition. 

4. Connect With Child Crisis Intervention Services

Even if you’re not immediately concerned about your child’s safety, connecting with crisis services, such as the 988 Suicide Hotline, can provide you with resources and tools for protecting your child’s well-being. 

5. Help Your Child Create a “Safety” Plan

A safety plan can help you and your child prepare for occasions in which their safety could be at risk. Safety plans can include…

  • Crisis numbers to call
  • Steps your child can take to reduce the risk of acting on thoughts about self-harm or suicide
  • Actions they’ve taken in the past to successfully self-soothe
  • A list of people they can call in a mental health emergency, such as loved ones or mental health professionals 

Each of these steps can help you protect your child’s mental health in a crisis situation. However, the most important thing you can do for their well-being is to arrange professional mental health treatment for managing their symptoms. 

Emergency Mental Health Treatment for Teens

If you’re concerned about your child’s immediate safety, it’s essential that you contact emergency departments or services. They can help you safeguard your child’s well-being and ensure you both get the support you need. 

If you’re not immediately concerned about their safety, you’re undoubtedly still very distressed and concerned. Contacting your doctor or mental health services can ensure your child’s mental health needs are assessed – providing suitable treatment options for their symptoms. 

If your child is experiencing a mental health crisis, a residential mental health program may be appropriate for their situation. These programs provide 24/7 nurturing and supportive care, reducing risks to their safety and well-being. A mental health professional can discuss the option of inpatient care with you and your child, including how it can be tailored to include the following therapy options. 

Therapy Options for Teen Mental Health:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT works by targeting teens’ thoughts and actions, identifying negative patterns, and helping them build healthy ways of coping. 

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Previous experiences, such as trauma, can seriously affect a teen’s mental health. EMDR is an effective way of treating trauma as it changes how these memories are stored in the brain, helping a teen move past trauma and form more positive beliefs.

Interpersonal Therapy

A teen’s relationships with family members or friends can contribute to mental health difficulties. Interpersonal therapy can help them work through these issues and figure out better ways of coping to improve their mental health.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

TMS can be effective in treating treatment-resistant mental health conditions. It’s a non-invasive therapy that uses magnetic fields to activate nerve cells in targeted areas of the brain – improving outlook and mood. 

Group Therapy

Interacting with peers in therapy sessions can help a teen understand that they’re not alone in their experiences, learn healthy ways of coping, and build social support.

Teen receiving support for Mental Health Crisis

How Mission Prep Can Help With Child Mental Health Crisis Intervention

Handling emergency mental health situations can be like controlling a fire – you wouldn’t hesitate to contact appropriate services if your house started to go up in flames. Similarly, it’s essential not to wait to contact mental health services for help in a child’s mental health crisis. 

Mission Prep can help. We offer outpatient and residential treatment options for a variety of teen mental health conditions in various locations, tailoring each program to each teen’s unique needs. Our team is available 24/7 to offer advice and support on mental health emergencies, helping you protect your child’s safety and future in nurturing ways. Contact us to learn more.

References

  1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2023). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt42731/2022-nsduh-nnr.pdf
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Youth risk behavior survey: Data summary & trends report 2011-2021. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/115815
  3. American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). Mental health emergencies: Improving care for kids. HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/news/Pages/mental-health-emergencies-improving-care-for-kids.aspx
  4. National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). What to do if your child is in crisis. NAMI. https://www.nami.org/your-journey/kids-teens-and-young-adults/kids/what-to-do-if-your-child-is-in-crisis/
  5. American Psychological Association. (n.d.). How to help in an emotional crisis. https://www.apa.org/topics/mental-health/help-emotional-crisis
  6. Elmer, J. (2022, March 2). What is a mental health crisis: Signs, causes, and how to get help. Psych Central. https://psychcentral.com/health/what-is-a-mental-health-crisis#emergency-vs-crisis
  7. U.S. General Services Administration. (2025). The 988 Lifeline and other mental health services. USAGov. https://www.usa.gov/features/the-988-lifeline-and-other-mental-health-services
  8. NAMI Minnesota. (n.d.). Mental health crisis planning for children: Learn to recognize, manage, prevent and plan for your child’s mental health crisis. https://www.hslcnys.org/fosterparenttraining/NTDCThemeRes/Mental%20Health%20Considerations/MH_Mental%20Health%20Crisis%20Planning%20for%20Children_Resource.pdf
  9. Brister, T. (2018). Navigating a mental health crisis: A NAMI resource for those experiencing a mental health emergency. National Alliance on Mental Illness. https://sprc.org/online-library/navigating-a-mental-health-crisis-a-nami-resource-for-those-experiencing-a-mental-health-emergency/