Mental health crises can be incredibly overwhelming and scary, but did you know that there are many options available to help you through these tough times? Urgent care centres, for example, can provide the care and support you need to get through a mental health crisis.
In this blog post, we’ll explore how urgent care can help if you’re struggling with your mental health. We’ll discuss the benefits of seeking help at an urgent care centre, and what you can expect when you visit one. So, if you or someone you know is in a mental health crisis, keep reading to learn more about how urgent care can help.
What a mental health crisis is:
A mental health crisis is a situation in which someone is experiencing a severe emotional or mental disturbance that causes them to behave in a way that is out of the ordinary. Crisis situations can be caused by a variety of things, such as trauma, stress, anxiety, depression, or substance abuse. The symptoms can include panic attacks, uncontrollable crying, going silent, isolating oneself, suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts.
Often, people going through a mental health crisis are unable to help themselves, so it’s important to have help on hand. This is where an urgent care centre comes in.
How urgent care can help:
Urgent care centres are equipped to handle a variety of mental health needs. They can provide crisis counselling, referrals to mental health resources, and medication management. One key advantage of urgent care is that it is open 24/7, meaning it can be a great resource for when you need help outside of normal business hours. A mental health crisis can happen at any time, so it should reassure you that support is available whenever you need it.
What to expect when you visit an urgent care centre:
When you visit an urgent care centre for a mental health crisis, you can expect to receive a comprehensive evaluation. The staff will ask you questions about your symptoms and your mental health history. They may also perform a physical exam to rule out any medical causes for your symptoms. After the evaluation, the staff will work with you to develop a treatment plan.
Sometimes, extra support may be offered if you are in a vulnerable situation. For example, those who are homeless or are victims of abuse will be offered additional resources to improve their mental health in the long-term. Poor mental health is usually caused by persistent struggle, so an urgent care centre will ask about your circumstances and refer you to the right people for additional help.
How to find an urgent care centre near you:
If you or someone you know is in a mental health crisis, don’t hesitate to reach out to an urgent care centre near you as soon as possible. The longer you go without support, the more risk you or someone you know is exposed to. You can find an urgent care centre near you by searching online or by calling the Samaritans on 116 123. The Samaritans can give you urgent support over the phone if you’re too far away from an urgent care centre, and they can give advice and resources if you need extra help.
Who else to go to:
Remember, you can always call for an ambulance if you believe you or someone you know is in immediate danger. Call handlers are professionally trained in crisis de-escalation, so even if danger is imminent, they’ll know exactly how to deal with it. The National Suicide Prevention Helpline is also a great resource – they know exactly how you feel and what you’re going through, so they can help even if you don’t feel like anybody will understand.
Ultimately, the key thing to remember is that you are not alone. There are many resources available to help you through a mental health crisis – all you need to do is reach out a hand, and someone will be there to help you up.
