How can I help someone who is suicidal or experiencing an active mental health crisis?

Barrier Removal Steps (2).png

This article is organized to provide you with guidance to walk through the steps of the barrier removal process: Asking coaching questions, Taking steps to advocate for yourself or someone else, and Connecting with community resources.

Don’t minimize what they are feeling. - If something feels like a big deal to them, it is a big deal. Avoid comparing their situation to your own experiences or to what others have gone through - even with good intentions, that can make them feel dismissed or misunderstood. Instead, focus on listening and acknowledging their feelings as real and important.
Do take it seriously. - When you match the young person’s concern with genuine attention and care, you help them feel heard and supported — and that can make their struggle feel more manageable. If you dismiss their feelings or treat their reaction as exaggerated, they may feel misunderstood or alone.
Do stay calm and patient. - Even if you feel scared or unsure, your calm presence can help them feel grounded.
Do ask directly if they’re thinking about suicide or have a plan. - Asking doesn’t put the idea in their head but it opens the door for honesty and safety. The young person also may be venting and their response can help guide your next steps.
- Examples:
  - (If they have not disclosed anything): “Before we start, I want you to know that most of what you tell me stays private. The only time I have to tell someone else is if I think you’re in danger, like if someone is hurting you or if you want to hurt yourself. That’s because it’s my job to help keep you safe.”
  - (If there has not been a direct disclosure, but they are expressing suicidal behaviors): “You’ve been through a lot, and I want to first make sure you’re safe. Have you had any thoughts about suicide?”
  - (If the person has made a disclosure): “Thank you for being honest with me. I know that wasn’t easy. Because you told me you’re thinking about suicide, I need to reach out to some people who can help keep you safe. You’re not in trouble — this is just to make sure you get support.”
Don't feel like you need to have a magic answer but DO center the young person’s experience. If you have a personal story you think would help in the situation, be thoughtful about how it may be received. Listening deeply is more powerful than having the perfect story. While you may feel like you understand, the young person's experience is unique to them. If you do share:
- Use your story to offer hope, not comparison. Focus on what helped you feel supported or what resources made a difference.
- Check in after sharing. Ask, “How does that sound to you?” or “Does any of that feel similar or different from what you’re going through?”
- Be mindful of differences in time and context. Acknowledge that the world, especially with social media and online pressures, may feel very different now and the young person may (rightfully) feel unseen in your story.
Do connect them with help. - Baltimore Crisis Response has a 24-hour hotline you can call at (410) 433-5255. Encourage talking to a trusted adult, counselor, or calling/texting 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S.). Stay with them until help is available if they’re in immediate danger.

Watch the following Video from the Maryland Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on Safety Planning:

A safety plan helps a person stay safe when they have thoughts of suicide or feel very distressed. The plan gives them clear steps to follow and people they can reach out to.

1. Stay calm and explain the purpose

Tell the person: “This plan can help you stay safe when things feel really hard. We’ll write down small steps you can take and people you can contact.”

2. Identify warning signs

Ask: “How can you tell when you’re starting to feel worse?”
Examples: feeling hopeless, crying a lot, not sleeping, or thinking about death.

Write these signs down so the person can recognize them early.

3. List coping strategies

Ask: “What helps you feel a little better or calmer?”
(Examples: deep breathing, listening to music, walking, holding a pet, or journaling.)

Encourage simple, safe actions they can do alone.

4. Add supportive people and contacts

Ask: “Who can you talk to when you need help?” Ask the names of adults in their lives who they can trust for support.

Write names and phone numbers of:

Friends or family
Counselors or therapists
Crisis hotlines

Example:U.S.: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988)

5. Make the environment safe

Talk about removing or securing anything that could be used for self-harm (for example, medications, weapons, sharp objects).
Ask: “Is there anything around you that makes you feel unsafe? Can we move or lock it away?”

6. Choose professional help

Write down contacts for:

Doctors or therapists
Mental health clinics or hospitals
Emergency services

7. End with hope and support

Remind the person: “You are not alone. You’ve made a plan to help you stay safe. There are people who care about you and want to help.”

Safety Plan Resources:

Video Resources from the Maryland American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP):

Teen Suicide Prevention for Peers
- Teen Suicide Prevention for Peers (English)
- Teen Suicide Prevention for Peers (en español)
Teen Suicide Prevention for Parents
- Teen Suicide Prevention for Parents (English)
- Teen Suicide Prevention for Parents (en español)

If the person is being receptive to receiving care, you may want to engage first with Crisis Response Lines for Support:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 988 for 24/7 urgent mental health support from trained crisis specialists
Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741 for 24/7 free, confidential crisis support via text
The Trevor Project Counselor Line: Text “START” to 678-678 or call 1-866-488-7386 to receive free, confidential support from a LGBTQ+ affirming counselor
Pro Bono Counseling’s WARMLine: Call (410) 598- 0234 to get free, confidential, anonymous support from a mental health professional who can also help connect you to more long-term support and resources. Available Mon - Fri from 10am-8pm and weekends from 10am-6pm

Call emergency services right away if:

The person has a plan to end their life and has the means to do it (for example, pills, weapons, or other dangerous items).
The person has already hurt themselves or is in immediate danger.
The person is not safe to be left alone, and you cannot remove the danger.
The person is disoriented, extremely agitated, or not responding normally (may be having a mental health or medical emergency).

Say: “I’m really worried about your safety. I’m going to get help right now.” If you call 911, say: “This is a mental health crisis. Please send responders trained for mental health situations if possible.”

Have conversations about mental health early and often! While police may need to be involved when a crisis occurs, it is important to utilize them as a last resort as they may escalate situations (especially when mental health is involved) and erode trust.

DE-EMPHASIZE involvement of law enforcement unless absolutely necessary. If it is determined necessary to involve the police, it is important that the young person understands why.

A key to having that understanding is often based on early conversations around mandated reporting and when confidentiality can be broken. Even if you do not suspect that a young person is having suicidal thoughts, it is always good practice to let people know you are available for support when needed in addition to understanding the limitations of the support you can provide.

Popular Self- Care Apps (these should not replace going to a licensed professional for severe mental health needs):

Calm App - Calm is a meditation, mindfulness and sleep-support app (launched in 2012) designed to help users relax, reduce stress, improve sleep, and build a mindfulness habit.

Daily mini-programs (e.g., “Daily Calm”), mood and mindfulness tracking in some versions. Free download with limited content, and a paid Premium subscription unlocking the full library.

Best for: People looking for self-guided mindfulness and sleep tools rather than direct therapy. Especially useful if you want audio content to reduce anxiety, support sleep, or build a daily habit of quiet time.
Key considerations: Many features are behind the paywall. The Calm app also does not replace therapy or psychiatric care for serious mental-health conditions.

Prosper App - Prosper is a self-care companion app aimed at supporting mental well-being through daily check-ins, mood tracking, habit tracking, community features, and self-reflection.
- Daily mood journal: record how you feel, optionally add images or thoughts.
- Calendar view and insights: see patterns over time, track correlation between mood/habits/sleep.
- Habit tracking for well-being practices, plus a community feature for peer support.

Best for: Individuals looking for a lightweight, daily self-monitoring tool to increase awareness of their emotional patterns, build positive habits, and connect (in a low-intensity way) with a peer community. Especially useful for youth or communities wanting additional support without necessarily engaging formal therapy.
Key considerations: Not a substitute for therapy or clinical support. The app itself emphasizes that it does not provide treatment.

Get Advice/Information

Address the Immediate Need

Maryland Coalition of Families (MCF)- MCF offers several key services aimed at families and caregivers of individuals with behavioral health issues:
- Family Peer Support & Navigation: They provide one-on-one support to families/loved ones caring for someone with mental health, substance use or problem gambling issues. This includes emotional support, resource connection, systems navigation.
- Early Childhood Support: For families with young children who may have developmental delays or behavioral health challenges — helping caregivers understand child development, connect to early intervention services, advocate for the child’s needs.
- Statewide Reach: They serve families in every jurisdiction of Maryland.
- Support Groups & Workshops: They run support groups, training workshops, and educational events for families.
- Advocacy & System Change: Beyond direct family support, MCF engages in policy advocacy, raising public awareness, working with service systems to improve how behavioral health services are delivered.
Franciscan Center Counseling Services (410) 467-5340
Pro Bono Counseling Project at 410-825-1001
Behavioral Health System Baltimore at 410-637-1900
Baltimore Crisis Referral Line at 410-433-5175
Betterhelp
Villa Maria at 667-600-3900 or behavioralhealth@cc-md.org
Black Mental Health Alliance
BTST (Better Tomorrow Starts Today)

Additional Mental Health Resources

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) - Offers information on finding mental health care providers, including primary care providers, federal resources, national agencies, advocacy and professional organizations, and state and county agencies..
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) - Provides the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and SAMHSA's National Helpline for free and confidential treatment referral and information about mental and substance use disorders.
Mental Health First Aid - Offers resources for finding information or getting connected with help for various mental health and substance use problems, including helplines and support groups
Informed Immigrant - Informed Immigrant provides resources for managing the mental health of immigrants and their families. It offers tips for managing emotional and spiritual well-being and service organizations lookup tool to find healthcare and local mental health services.
The National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (NNIRR) - offers a list of migrant mental health resources, including culturally specific services and services in Spanish. It also provides a toll-free, confidential hotline for families seeking mental health services

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