Emergency

Mental health emergencies can happen without a warning to the person, herself/himself/themselves, and friends and families do not know what to do even though the intention and wishes to help are strong. This page would be a growing summary of material for suicide prevention, crisis intervention, and conflict resolution. Not all phone numbers were tried and the accuracy of the crisis resources is not 100% guaranteed.

Mental Health Emergency and Crisis

What to do for mental health emergency?

  • Take the threats of suicide seriously. This is especially important when the threats have been voiced repeatedly or the person is inebriated or under the influence of drugs. It is a dangerous myth to believe that suicide threats are harmless attempts to get attention. 
  • Call 911 for immediate violence to self or others. Knowing when to call 911 would save lives.
  • You will need to assess the urgency of the situation to determine your actions and who to involve. Here are some resources:

https://reddotalert.com/managing-a-mental-health-crisis-when-should-you-call-911

https://scholars.org/contribution/when-call-911-urgent-mental-health-situation

  • Is the person in danger of hurting themselves, others or property? This can include both actions and threats. Remember the definition of violence (behavior involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something) and all that it entails.
  • If the answer is yes, you need to call 911 and ask for immediate assistance or activate the emergency alert system.

Share this Information with the 911 Operator

  • Location
  • Mental diagnosis and history (include hospitalizations).
  • Current and discontinued medications.
  • Previous suicide attempts, any current threats of suicide or self-harming behavior (e.g. self-cutting).
  • Prior violence, any current violent threats ( including weapon, property damage, and threats over the internet).
  • Drug use and the type of drug if you know it.
  • Current stressors.
  • Hallucinations, delusions, loss of touch with reality.

For less than an immediate danger and emergency, if assessed correctly as not urgent, here are resources to help intervening the crisis. These resources might help one figuring out when to call 911.

National Crisis Hotline: 988

National Hopeline Network (800) SUICIDE

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800) 273-TALK (8255)

In Maryland, 211 Can Help You (https://search.211md.org/)

Maryland Counties Emergency Lines

  • Montgomery County Crisis Center: 240-777-4000
  • Howard County Crisis Center: 410-531-6677
  • Prince George’s: 800-273-8255

In Virginia, 85511 Can Help You: Text: “CONNECT” to 855-11

Northern Virginia Counties CSB Emergency Lines

  • Alexandria: 703-746-3401
  • Arlington: 703-228-5150
  • Fairfax/Falls Church: 703-573-5679
  • Loudoun: 703-777-0320
  • Prince William: 703-792-7800 in Manassas or 703-792-4900 in Woodbridge

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Korean Language: KCSC (Korean Community Service Center of Greater Washington ) Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-888-987-4561

Spanish Language:

People in need of help can now text HOLA to 741741 or text 442-AYUDAME in WhatsApp. 

Call or text 988 to be connected with a trained crisis counselor. When you call, you can access support in Spanish by pressing 2.

La Línea de Ayuda para los Afectados por Catástrofes está disponible las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana, los 365 días del año. Este servicio confidencial, multilingüe y gratuito está disponible para todos los residentes en los Estados Unidos y sus territorios. El estrés, la ansiedad y otros síntomas parecidos a la depresión son reacciones comunes después de un desastre. Llame o envíe un mensaje de texto al 1-800-985-5990 (oprima 2 para español) para comunicarse con un consejero capacitado para tratar situaciones de crisis.

Conflict Resolution

There is conflict in all relationships: Consider Resolution.

National Domestic Violence Hotline 800.799.SAFE (7233)

Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence (800) 634-3577

Conflict Resolution Center of Montgomery County promotes and provides collaborative problem solving processes: (301) 652-0717 | (301) 652-0718

Virginia Sexual & Domestic Violence Action Alliance (804) 377-0335

NVMS Conflict Resolution Center (703) 865-7272

DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence 202-299-1181

The Deaf Hotline (206) 812-1001