Source: # 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: - Imminent risk of suicide or self-harm. - Risk of harm to others. - Severe psychosis or mania with dangerous behaviour. - Inability to care for basic needs (not eating, drinking, or sleeping for days; severe neglect). - 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](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/chapter/18/) ## Stories from real life - [The Message to the Team](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/story/the-message-to-the-team-72/) – 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](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/story/the-night-the-neighbour-stopped-sleeping-73/) – 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](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/story/too-much-too-fast-74/) – 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](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/story/four-lines-on-a-card-75/) – 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](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/topic/safety-crisis/) ## More questions - [Understanding recognising suicide risk – mental-health emergencies](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/understanding-recognising-suicide-risk-mental-health-emergencies/) - [What to do if someone may be suicidal?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/what-to-do-if-someone-may-be-suicidal/) - [Listen and validate – what to do if someone may be suicidal](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/listen-and-validate-what-to-do-if-someone-may-be-suicidal/) - [Ask directly about suicide – what to do if someone may be suicidal](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/ask-directly-about-suicide-what-to-do-if-someone-may-be-suicidal/) - [Seek immediate professional help – what to do if someone may be suicidal](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/seek-immediate-professional-help-what-to-do-if-someone-may-be-suicidal/) - [When there is risk of harm to others?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/when-there-is-risk-of-harm-to-others/) - [Understanding severe psychosis or mania – mental-health emergencies](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/understanding-severe-psychosis-or-mania-mental-health-emergencies/) - [Understanding substance-related emergencies – mental-health emergencies](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/understanding-substance-related-emergencies-mental-health-emergencies/) - [Understanding creating a safety plan – mental-health emergencies](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/understanding-creating-a-safety-plan-mental-health-emergencies/) - [Understanding after a crisis – mental-health emergencies](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/understanding-after-a-crisis-mental-health-emergencies/) [myadvisorfriend@gmail.com](mailto:myadvisorfriend@gmail.com) · [Contact](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/contact/) · [About](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/about/) · [Privacy](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/privacy/) · [Disclaimer](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/disclaimer/) --- *Psychology for Everyone – A Mental Well Being Series* by Satish Zope · free to read · Contact: [myadvisorfriend@gmail.com](mailto:myadvisorfriend@gmail.com) · [About](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/about/) · [Privacy](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/privacy/) · [Disclaimer](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/disclaimer/)