How to recognize and help someone in a mental health crisis

Just like with our physical health, mental health emergencies can pop up unexpectedly and it can be scary if you’re suddenly called to help.

And just like you can learn CPR, there are skills you can learn to recognize and support someone in need.

There are courses for mental health first aid and they’re offered in person and virtually.

MPR News host Angela Davis speaks with mental health professionals about the first actions to take and the words to use in an emergency.

And we want to hear from you. Have you helped other people in a mental health crisis? What did you learn? Have you been through a mental health crisis yourself? What do you wish other people had known? 

If you’re in crisis right now, please call, text, or chat 988 to connect with a trained counselor who can help you. 

Mental health first aid courses are available through the following organizations:

• Mental Health First Aid

• Minneapolis Technical and Community College

• American Red Cross

• Minnesota State Workforce Solutions

• Minnesota North College

• Wellness in the Woods

Guests:

• Michelle Sherman is a Minneapolis-based board certified, licensed clinical psychologist with a PhD in clinical psychology. She has dedicated her career to supporting families dealing with mental illness, trauma and PTSD. She has also written books for teenagers about how to live with a parent with a mental illness.

• Vanessa Ng is the clinical director at the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation.

• Lew Zeidner is the vice president of mental health and addiction service line at M Health Fairview.

Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.