There are many definitions of what is determined as a mental health crisis.

In short, it is a clear and abrupt change of behaviour that a person feels they need immediate help with.

This can be brought on by multiple life stressors such as:

• Separation and divorce, dating

• Burnout

• Physical and/or mental ill health

• Financial and employment insecurity

• Social media fatigue

• Loneliness /lack of support network

• Body image/dysmorphia

• Substance misuse

• Bereavement, loss and grief

• Housing and social problems

• Workplace stress

• Transition through Menopause

• Pregnancy, fertility, and new motherhood

Of course, that list is not exhaustive. A mental health crisis can occur as a slow and creeping effect, other times it can be caused by a sudden event with shock impact.

Enduring mental overwhelm can present itself in many ways for example,

• Escalating stress levels

• Panic

• Anxiety

• Paranoia

• Rapid heart rate/breathing

• Low mood

• Declining cognitive process (ability to ‘think straight’)

• Emotional distress

• Erratic/uncharacteristic behaviour/isolating/agitation

• Heavy focus on the here and now

• Catastrophizing

• Loss of self-care and function (eat/drink/sleep/wash/dress)

• Substance misuse

• Prescriptive medication under/over use

• Thoughts and feelings of suicide and/or self-harm

• Psychosis (delusions and/or hallucinations)

There is no specific time frame as to how long a mental health crisis will last. It is a totally personal experience that can last a few hours, days or weeks.

The most important thing is to take action and get professional help that supports and guides a person through the peak of the crisis safely and compassionately.

(Sources taken from; MIND, Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, Mental Health Foundation and Psych Central).