People on the verge of a psychological crisis: the signs to understand it (and intervene)

More and more people recognize today the importance of taking care of your mental well-being. Despite this, we don’t always feel completely sure that we can help someone who is going through a psychological crisis. Quite a worrying fact if you think that weekly one in six people are likely to face a mental health problem on their own, as depression or anxiety.

On the occasion of European Mental Health Week (from 22 to 28 May), the first aid instructors of Onsite First Aid Training they shared the signs to watch out for if you think someone is going through a psychological crisisalso suggesting the best way to offer support.

What is a psychological crisis?

A psychological crisis occurs when a person’s thoughts, feelings, or behaviors prevent them from caring for themselves or may endanger themselves or others. It can happen to anyone, and there doesn’t necessarily have to be a pre-existing mental health condition. Because a psychological crisis can be triggered by negative events or severe stress such as bereavement, divorce or job loss, or it can be the result of a prolonged period of substance abuse.

Signs to watch out for

Some specific signals may be indicative of psychological malaise. The most common are:
– an intense or sudden change in mood or behavior;
– psychosis, including hallucinations;
– episodes of paranoia;
– agitation, anger, violent gestures;
– suicidal ideation or thoughts of “having plans”;
– self-harm or the desire to harm oneself or others;
– isolation or estrangement from others;
– inability to perform daily activities and routines, including personal hygiene.

Six ways to help someone going through a psychological crisis

Based on the suggestions provided by first aid operators, it is essential to immediately check if the person in crisis has hurt himself or is thinking of hurting himself. If you are seriously injured or have taken a large quantity of medicines or drugs, you should call 118 immediately and stay with you until the paramedics arrive, who will in the meantime try to assess the seriousness of the situation by telephone.

When talking to a person in crisis, it will be better to ask them open-ended questions such as: «How would you describe what you are feeling right now?». It will make it easier for her to convey her thoughts and feelings. A good tip is to try to start each question with «How», «Why» or «What».

When dealing with a person in crisis, it is better to actively listen than to offer advice. Also, make eye contact, use open body language, listen without judging or try to offer a solution, thus showing that you are paying your full attention. Clarifying or simply repeating what they said in their own words can go a long way in making someone feel heard, even if you don’t know how to respond to a particular piece of information. Small verbal and non-verbal statements like “That sounds really hard” or just nodding will show that we recognize the importance of what was said.

When someone is in a crisis they may have difficulty thinking clearly and putting their thoughts and feelings into words. The important thing is to be patient, without rushing the conversation. It is good to remember that the person in question may have never talked about these feelings with anyone before that moment and therefore not be familiar with expressing what he is experiencing.

Not everyone can feel ready to talk to someone in a crisis, especially if you’re dealing with an unfamiliar person. He may not trust or feel uncomfortable talking. Unless it’s determining whether someone intends or has done harm to themselves or others, it’s important to respect their desire for silence. Simply letting them know you’re available can encourage him to talk when he’s ready.

Talking to someone during a psychological crisis could potentially save their life, but it’s important to remember that it’s no substitute for professional help. Once it is established that the person in question is safe, it is appropriate encourage her to seek the support of qualified professionalsbetter equipped to support their needs. The general practitioner will also be able to guide the person to find psychological support and medical assistance through the National Health Service.

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