When to Seek Help: Recognizing Mental Health Crisis Warning Signs

The holidays are supposed to be joyful. But for some families, they bring added stress that can push someone who's already struggling to a breaking point.

Recently, you might have seen that Fox 13 reached out to Alliance Healthcare Services to discuss a topic many families face but don't always know how to handle: what to do when a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis.

Their reporter spoke with our VP of Crisis Support, Brooke Stewart, about the warning signs families should watch for and where to turn for immediate help.

If you've ever worried about someone you love, this information could make all the difference.

What Does a Mental Health Crisis Actually Look Like?

Most people think of a crisis as someone in immediate danger, but it often starts more quietly than that.

You might notice your loved one isn't acting like themselves. Maybe they've stopped going to work, stopped showering, or stopped answering calls. Maybe they're saying things that don't make sense, or they're convinced something is happening that you know isn't real.

Other times, the warning signs are more urgent: talking about suicide, harming themselves, destroying property, or threatening others. Substance abuse can make everything more complicated, especially when mental health symptoms and addiction happen together.

Here's what you need to know: you don't have to wait until something terrible happens to get help. In fact, reaching out early can prevent tragedy.

Common Mental Health Crisis Warning Signs

IMMEDIATE CRISIS - Call 911 or Go to Crisis Center NOW

Immediate Danger Indicators:

• Talking about wanting to die or kill themselves

• Looking for ways to end their life (searching online, acquiring weapons, stockpiling pills)

• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live

• Threatening to hurt or kill others

• Acting violent or destructive (destroying property, physical aggression)

• Expressing plans to harm themselves with specific details (when, where, how)

• Actively using substances in dangerous ways or overdosing

• Experiencing severe hallucinations or delusions that could lead to harm

• Unable to care for basic needs (eating, hygiene, safety)

URGENT WARNING SIGNS - Seek Help Within 24 Hours

Behavioral Red Flags:

• Increased alcohol or drug use

• Withdrawing from friends, family, and activities

• Sleeping too much or too little (outside of normal patterns)

• Giving away prized possessions or "getting affairs in order"

• Extreme mood swings or emotional outbursts

• Reckless behavior (driving dangerously, spending money erratically, risky sexual behavior)

• Isolating from everyone

• Agitation, rage, or talking about seeking revenge

Verbal Warning Signs:

• Saying things like "I'm a burden" or "Everyone would be better off without me"

• Talking about feeling trapped with no way out

• Expressing unbearable pain (emotional or physical)

• Saying goodbye in ways that feel final

• Talking about being tired of fighting or giving up

Emotional Indicators:

• Overwhelming anxiety or panic attacks

• Deep depression that doesn't lift

• Severe mood swings

• Feeling worthless or guilty

• Expressing intense shame or self-hatred

CONCERNING CHANGES - Monitor Closely & Consider Evaluation

Personality & Behavior Changes:

• Acting differently than usual for extended periods (2+ weeks)

• Loss of interest in things they used to enjoy

• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

• Increased irritability or anger

• Appearing confused or disoriented

• Talking or laughing to themselves

• Hearing voices or seeing things others don't

• Expressing paranoid or suspicious thoughts

• Unexplained physical complaints (headaches, stomach issues)

Social & Functional Decline:

• Missing work or school frequently

• Neglecting personal hygiene

• Dropping out of regular activities

• Avoiding social contact

• Relationship conflicts increasing

• Failing to keep up with bills or responsibilities

• Losing connection with reality

Physical Warning Signs:

• Dramatic weight loss or gain

• Looking exhausted or disheveled

• Self-harm marks (cuts, burns, bruises)

• Signs of substance abuse

• Neglecting medical needs

HOLIDAY-SPECIFIC Warning Signs

Seasonal Stress Indicators:

• Increased sadness or depression around holidays

• Expressing dread about family gatherings

• Grief intensifying around anniversary dates

• Financial stress causing severe anxiety

• Increased isolation during "family time"

• Substance use increasing during holiday season

• Talking about not wanting to be here for another holiday

FOR PEOPLE WITH EXISTING MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS

Relapse Warning Signs:

• Stopping medications suddenly

• Missing therapy appointments

• Saying treatment "isn't working anymore"

• Refusing to engage with support system

• Symptoms returning or worsening

• Losing insight (not recognizing they're unwell)

The Holiday Stress Factor

The holidays amplify everything. Financial pressure, family conflict, grief over lost loved ones, loneliness... all of it gets turned up during this season. For someone already dealing with depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, or addiction, the holidays can feel unbearable.

That's why we see more mental health crises between Thanksgiving and New Year's than any other time of year. And that's exactly why Alliance operates 24/7—because crises don't follow business hours.

Where Do You Turn When Your Family Needs Help?

This is where many families get stuck. Your loved one is having a breakdown at 2 AM on a Saturday. Do you call 911? Go to the hospital emergency room? Hope it passes?

Here's what you should know: Alliance Healthcare Services operates the Crisis Wellness Center at 3200 Broad Avenue—Memphis and Shelby County's mental health emergency room.

Unlike a hospital ER that treats broken bones and heart attacks, we specialize in mental health and addiction crises. We have psychiatrists, therapists, nurses, and crisis specialists ready to help right now. Walk in anytime, day or night. No appointment. No insurance required.

We offer:

• Immediate crisis assessment to determine what level of care your loved one needs

• Short-term stabilization with medication management and therapy (up to 7 days depending on the program)

• Medical detox for alcohol, opiates, and benzodiazepines—the only program in Shelby County for uninsured adults

• Mobile crisis teams who can come to your home if needed

• Referrals and follow-up care so your family has a plan moving forward

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You're Not Overreacting

One of the biggest barriers we see is families second-guessing themselves. "Maybe it's not that bad." "Maybe they'll snap out of it." "I don't want to make things worse."

If you're worried enough to Google "mental health crisis help," you're not overreacting.

Trust your instincts. It's always better to reach out and be told "they're okay, keep an eye on things" than to wait until the situation becomes dangerous.

Our crisis line is staffed 24/7 by people who understand what you're going through. Even if your loved one refuses to come in, call us. We can help you figure out next steps, safety plans, and what resources are available.

The Bottom Line

Mental health crises are medical emergencies, just like heart attacks or strokes. They need immediate, specialized care. Not judgment, not jail, not waiting until Monday to call someone.

Alliance Healthcare Services exists for exactly this reason. We're the safety net. We're the place first responders bring people instead of jail. We're the team that says "yes" when everyone else says "we can't help you."

If someone you love is in crisis, here's what to do right now:

1. Walk in: 3200 Broad Avenue. Open 24/7

2. Call our crisis line: 901-369-1410

3. Call 988: The national suicide and crisis lifeline

4. In an emergency: Call 911 and request a CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) officer

You don't have to figure this out alone. We're here, right now, ready to help.

About Alliance Healthcare Services: We're the largest comprehensive behavioral health provider in Shelby County, serving more than 22,000 people every year across 18 locations.

Our Crisis Wellness Center at 3200 Broad Avenue is Memphis's mental health emergency room and it's open 24/7, accepting everyone regardless of insurance or ability to pay.