How to Plan for a Mental Health Crisis: A Practical Guide

Mental health crises can be overwhelming and unpredictable, but with thoughtful planning and support, individuals can navigate the challenging times more effectively. At Northern Healthcare, we embrace a specialist person-centred approach, ensuring that each individual’s preferences, values, and needs are at the forefront of their care. This blog outlines practical steps to plan for a mental health crisis, emphasising early intervention, personalised safety plans, and the importance of a supportive network.

Understanding a Mental Health Crisis

A mental health crisis happens when someone’s emotional or psychological state becomes so overwhelming that they struggle to cope safely or maintain daily functioning. Crises can take many forms, from severe anxiety or depression to psychosis, suicidal thoughts, or extreme mood shifts. Recognising early warning signs is critical to preventing escalation.

Early Warning Signs to Monitor:

Emotional Changes: Increased irritability, sadness, or feeling hopeless.

Behavioural Shifts: Withdrawal from social interactions, neglect of personal hygiene, or changes in sleep patterns.

Cognitive Indicators: Difficulty concentrating, racing thoughts, or confusion.

Physical Symptoms: Unexplained aches, fatigue, or changes in appetite.

By paying attention to these signs, individuals and their support networks can take proactive steps to address emerging concerns before they develop into full-blown crises.

Why Planning Ahead is Crucial

Planning for a crisis isn’t about expecting the worst; it’s about being prepared and staying in control when things feel out of control. When stress and distress take over, decision-making becomes harder, and logical thinking can be impaired. Having a clear plan in place ensures that steps are already mapped out, which can reduce anxiety and prevent unnecessary risk.

At Northern Healthcare, our teams implement a person-first approach, meaning we listen to what the individual we support feels is right for them and design the plan around their choices and comfort. Engaging in proactive planning can increase confidence, help manage risks, and make transitions to professional care smoother if needed.

Creating a Personal Crisis Plan

A personal crisis plan is a roadmap that guides both the individual and their support network during times of heightened distress. At its core, it should be clear, accessible, and personalised.

Key elements include:

Recognising early warning signs and triggers: Understanding what indicates that a crisis might be developing allows for early intervention.

Coping strategies: Techniques that help alleviate distress, such as grounding exercises, music, or physical activity.

Safe spaces: Identifying environments where the person feels secure, whether at home or a trusted location in the community.

Support contacts: Listing trusted family members, friends, peer supporters, and professionals who can be called on.

Emergency protocols: Including steps for when escalation occurs, such as contacting crisis teams or visiting the nearest emergency department.

Mind provides guidance on creating a plan that reflects an individual’s unique needs and circumstances, emphasising empowerment and choice.

Consistent with this focus on personalised care, Northern Healthcare promotes regular reviews of crisis plans to ensure they remain effective and meaningful. Northern Healthcare encourages individuals to regularly review and update their crisis plans with the help of our clinically informed support teams, reflecting any changes in circumstances, preferences, or available resources. This approach ensures that the plan remains relevant and effective.

Building Your Support Network

A strong support network can make all the difference during a mental health crisis. It isn’t only about having people around but having the right people who understand your needs and can act in accordance with your plan. This network might include family, friends, healthcare professionals, and peer supporters.

Peer support, in particular, has been shown to reduce isolation and provide hope. Those who have lived experience of mental health challenges can offer guidance and empathy that complements professional care. At Northern Healthcare, we work closely with individuals to identify and nurture these supportive relationships, ensuring that everyone in the network is aware of the crisis plan and knows how to help effectively.

Professional Help and Resources

Accessing professional support is a critical part of crisis planning. Mental health organisations offer a range of resources to ensure that individuals receive timely help when needed. This includes crisis teams that can provide intensive support, mental health professionals who can adjust care or medication plans, and local services that offer ongoing care.

Rethink Mental Illness emphasises the importance of understanding how to access these services and knowing what to expect during a crisis. Having these contacts clearly outlined in your crisis plan allows for faster, more coordinated responses. Examples include NHS urgent mental health helplines, community mental health teams, and crisis cafes or safe havens where individuals can receive support outside of hospital settings.

Safety Measures During a Crisis

Ensuring safety during a crisis involves both environmental and personal measures. Creating a calm space, reducing access to potential means of harm, and ensuring supervision by trusted individuals are key steps. At Northern Healthcare, each person’s crisis plan is included within their mental health care plan and is supported by individual risk assessment and management plans. These outline potential risks, mitigation strategies, and steps for intervention in a way that respects the individual’s preferences.

A safety plan is a practical tool within the broader crisis plan. It identifies who to contact, safe locations to go to, and coping strategies that can be immediately implemented. Having this information written down or easily accessible can provide reassurance and clarity when distress is high.

Post-Crisis Recovery

The end of a crisis is not the end of care. Recovery and reflection are essential parts of the journey. After a crisis, it’s important to review what happened, what helped, and what could be done differently. Updating the crisis plan based on recent experiences ensures that it remains effective for the future.

Recovery steps often include reconnecting with the support network, attending therapy or counselling sessions, and gradually returning to routines and activities. Small, achievable goals help rebuild confidence and provide structure. At Northern Healthcare, we work with individuals to create personalised follow-up plans that support emotional well-being and long-term recovery.

Overcoming Stigma and Encouraging Open Dialogue

Stigma remains a significant barrier to seeking help during mental health crises. Encouraging open dialogue and normalising discussions about mental health are crucial. By educating family members, friends, and colleagues, individuals can build an environment of understanding and support.

Northern Healthcare actively promotes person-centred care, ensuring that everyone feels respected and heard. Encouraging conversations about mental health, sharing lived experiences, and providing non-judgmental support are key strategies for reducing stigma and shaping a culture where seeking help is seen as a strength rather than a weakness.

Planning for a mental health crisis is an empowering step towards maintaining control during challenging times. By recognising early warning signs, developing a personalised crisis plan, building a supportive network, and accessing professional resources, individuals can navigate crises with greater confidence and resilience. At Northern Healthcare, our person-centred approach ensures that the preferences and needs of the people we support are at the heart of their care, promoting dignity, respect, and well-being.

For more information, see Mind’s guide on planning for a crisis and our article on responding to mental health crises: How to Respond to a Mental Health Crisis.