Why emergency knowledge is crucial?
From the book – Chapter 18: Mental-Health Emergency and Safety
Why emergency knowledge is crucial
Mental-health crises can be life-threatening. Knowing when a situation is an emergency and what to do can save lives.
Figure 18.1 Match the response to the urgency.
Emergencies include:
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Imminent risk of suicide or self-harm.
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Risk of harm to others.
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Severe psychosis or mania with dangerous behaviour.
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Inability to care for basic needs (not eating, drinking, or sleeping for days; severe neglect).
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Severe substance intoxication or withdrawal.
In such situations, immediate action is more important than waiting for a perfect solution.
Read the full chapter – Chapter 18: Mental-Health Emergency and Safety
Stories from real life
- The Message to the Team – Dev, 24, a colleague of Mira's in Mumbai, sends a late message that says, "Tell the team I am sorry for everything. I won't be a…
- The Night the Neighbour Stopped Sleeping – Mrs Dsouza, 45, in Bengaluru, had been unwell for years and stopped her medicine last month. For four days she has not slept, believes the neighbours…
- Too Much, Too Fast – At a college party in Goa, Kunal, 20, drinks heavily after his friends dare him. Later he is slumped on a sofa, hard to wake, breathing…
- Four Lines on a Card – After a hospital stay, Anjali, 32, in Delhi has made it through a very dark week. Her counsellor suggests building a safety plan together on one…
More on this topic: Mental health crisis and suicide prevention – what to do
More questions
- Understanding recognising suicide risk – mental-health emergencies
- What to do if someone may be suicidal?
- Listen and validate – what to do if someone may be suicidal
- Ask directly about suicide – what to do if someone may be suicidal
- Seek immediate professional help – what to do if someone may be suicidal
- When there is risk of harm to others?
- Understanding severe psychosis or mania – mental-health emergencies
- Understanding substance-related emergencies – mental-health emergencies
- Understanding creating a safety plan – mental-health emergencies
- Understanding after a crisis – mental-health emergencies