NAMI Releases New Crisis Guide

NAMI is proud to release “Navigating a Mental Health Crisis: A NAMI Resource Guide for Those Experiencing a Mental Health Emergency.” NAMI developed this guide to support people experiencing mental health crises and their loved ones.

This potentially life-saving guide outlines what can contribute to a crisis, warning signs that a crisis is emerging, strategies to help de-escalate a crisis and resources available for those affected. Also included is information about advocating for a person in crisis along with a sample crisis plan.

When a person has a mental health condition, the potential for a crisis is never far from mind. Crises can occur even when a person is in treatment. Unfortunately, unpredictability is simply the nature of mental illness.

So, it’s important to address a mental health emergency quickly and effectively. People with mental illness—and those who care for them—need information. However, that information is not always readily available and the search for answers may require more energy and persistence than possible. And unlike other health emergencies, people experiencing mental health emergencies often don’t receive instructions or materials on what to do or what to expect after a crisis.

That’s why we created this guide, so people experiencing mental health emergencies and their loved ones can have the answers and information they need when they need it.