Mental Health Crisis Plan

What is a Mental Health Crisis Plan?

A Mental Health Crisis Plan is a personalized document designed to help individuals and their support networks effectively prepare for and respond to mental health crises. These crises can manifest in various ways, such as a significant escalation of symptoms like severe depression, anxiety, or behaviors that may pose a danger to oneself or others.

This plan serves as a practical tool for recognizing early signs, identifying triggers, and developing strategies to regain control during challenging moments. Including coping mechanisms, a support network, and emergency contacts ensures that individuals and those around them know exactly how to act in an emergency.

Regularly updating the plan keeps it relevant as symptoms or support systems change over time. By creating this proactive resource, individuals can address crises more effectively, reduce stress for themselves and their loved ones, and work toward better outcomes with the help of their therapist or mental health care team.

How to use this Mental Health Crisis Plan

This Mental Health Crisis Plan is designed to be simple and accessible, ensuring that the information it contains can be quickly retrieved and used during challenging moments. Follow the step-by-step guide below to get started, or refer to the example provided for additional guidance.

Step 1: Download the template

Begin by downloading the Mental Health Crisis Plan template. The template is available as a free, easy-to-use PDF. You can use the download link on this page or access it directly from the Carepatron app by clicking on the 'Use template button'.

Step 2: Share the template with your client

Provide the template to your client in their preferred format. If they prefer digital copies for easy access on their phone or computer, they can use the interactive text boxes in the PDF to fill it out. For clients who prefer handwritten notes, print a copy for them to complete.

Step 3: Collaborate on each section

The plan consists of five main sections. Some clients may feel confident completing these independently, but it’s often helpful to work through the sections together. Offer support, provide suggestions, and guide them as they identify strategies, safe spaces, and emergency contacts.

Step 4: Store the completed plan securely

Keep a copy of the completed plan in the client’s records and encourage them to share it with trusted members of their support system for alignment and preparedness.

Benefits of mental health crisis plans

Using crisis plans for mental health can offer the following benefits:

Improves organization

A well-organized Mental Health Crisis Plan consolidates all vital information in one place, including crisis hotline numbers, warning signs, and coping strategies. This ensures clients and their support network can quickly access what they need during a mental health emergency.

By identifying triggers and including clear steps for intervention, the plan reduces confusion and provides a structured approach to dealing with sudden crises.

Empowers your clients

Involving clients in creating their crisis plan fosters a sense of control over their mental health care. By identifying early signs of a mental health crisis and developing personalized coping skills, clients actively contribute to their treatment. This joint crisis plan with a mental health professional strengthens the therapeutic relationship and promotes a proactive approach to managing mental illness.

Can be kept digital

The ability to store the crisis plan digitally makes it accessible anytime, anywhere. Whether on a phone, laptop, or tablet, clients can have instant access to crucial resources like emergency contacts, crisis intervention steps, and their support network. This convenience ensures the plan is always within reach during a mental health emergency.

Removes stigma

It reduces the stigma or shame that clients may feel about their mental illness by framing crisis planning as a practical and empowering step. Even if the plan is never used, the process reinforces that seeking help and preparing for crises is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Offers interventions for each level of crisis

The plan includes scalable interventions to address various crisis levels. For example, mild symptoms like anxiety or depression might require self-soothing techniques or reaching out to a family member, while severe situations might necessitate contacting a crisis hotline or seeking immediate medical help.

Encourages regular updates

Mental health crisis plans are most effective when reviewed and updated regularly. Changes in symptoms or the client’s support network can be reflected to keep the plan relevant. This ongoing development ensures the plan evolves alongside the client’s needs, making it a dynamic tool for managing mental health crises over time.

Tips for supporting a someone during a mental health crisis

We've compiled some helpful tips to help someone during a crisis. Here they are:

Recognize early warning signs and triggers

Supporting someone during a mental health crisis begins with understanding the early warning signs and triggers that indicate a potential crisis. Sudden changes in behavior, such as withdrawal, agitation, or extreme emotional distress, are often key indicators.

Provide calm and effective support

Staying calm during a mental health crisis is essential to create a supportive, non-judgmental environment that eases distress. Validate their feelings, stay composed, and encourage wellness tools like breathing exercises or grounding techniques to help them regain control.

Navigate conversations around self-harm or suicidal thoughts

Discussing self-harm or suicidal thoughts can be difficult but is vital for ensuring safety. Approach these conversations with empathy, asking directly but gently about their thoughts. This directness helps to break the stigma and ensures that their concerns are addressed openly. Utilize resources in their crisis plan, such as contacting their therapist, a crisis hotline, or emergency services if necessary.

Coordinate with mental health professionals and emergency services

Collaborating with mental health professionals and emergency services during a crisis is vital, using the contact details in the crisis plan to reach their therapist or healthcare provider. Share essential information, like current medications and mental health history, and act promptly by contacting emergency services or a crisis hotline for severe emergencies.

Leverage the support network

A strong support network of family, trusted individuals, and close friends provides crucial help during a mental health crisis. Ensuring everyone understands the crisis plan and their role fosters a united approach and eases the burden on any one person.

Develop a post-crisis plan

After the crisis, focus on recovery by reviewing what strategies worked and adjusting the treatment plan with a therapist. Encourage regular updates to the crisis plan to address changing symptoms, triggers, or support systems, promoting preparedness and trust in the support network.