Crisis
I do not provide immediate response crisis services. If you or a loved one are having a mental health emergency, I urge you to follow these guidelines.
When in doubt, call 911.
If one is available and nearby, going to a “behavioral health urgent care” or calling a “mobile crisis unit” could be a helpful first step before calling 911.
Both are standardized services that are responsive and supportive, and utilizing them may help avoid engaging law enforcement or higher levels of care like the emergency department. Behavioral health urgent cares provide prompt care and support for individuals experiencing acute mental health issues or crises. They typically provide services like assessment and triage, crisis stabilization, referrals, and short-term medication management and/or counseling.
If you’re located in the Capital area, the local Community Mental Health agency has 24/7 crisis services available:
Community Mental Health Building
812 E. Jolly Road, Lansing, MI 48910
Phone: (517) 346-8460
If you’re in Michigan, see if your local county community mental health agency provides crisis services (many do).
Common Ground runs a virtual behavioral health urgent care for Michigan residents as well as direct services for people in southeast Michigan.
Note: I do not have any formal relationship with Common Ground and, as such, cannot endorse their services.
If there is not a behavioral health urgent care near you, then the next best option would be to go to your nearest emergency room.
If you’re unable to travel to a hospital or otherwise need someone to talk to ASAP, you should call 911 or a crisis line like 988.
NAMI Michigan has a great website with for crisis resources in Michigan. If calling 911, it may be helpful to ask for a Crisis Intervention Team Officer or “CIT officer,” someone who is trained in deescalation. Most police departments have CIT officers on shift at any given time to handle crises
Please note that while I encourage clients to use their best judgment and try other avenues before calling 911, dispatchers are well-equipped to talk to you and help. Be honest with them about the situation, and they will help you.
At the end of the day, we’re all human.
DISCLAIMER: This information is not intended to be a prescription or treatment protocol for crisis situations. It is solely meant to inform an individual of other potential resources than simply going to the emergency department and/or calling 911 in the event of a mental health crisis. Although I believe that most mental health crises are best resolved via unarmed deescalation, individuals should use their best judgment in how to seek emergency care, including calling 911. In some situations and for some people, the best route is calling 911 or going to the emergency department. For others, it might be going to an urgent care. This website, and the information it contains, should not be used to delay seeking safety or medical attention. Any use of the information from this page or anywhere else on this Website is purely at the reader's discretion.