How to help someone experiencing a mental health crisis

If you know someone is in a mental health crisis, experts say the best thing to do is to spark a conversation and connect them to resources and professional help.

A mental health crisis can look different for anyone.

But shifts in behavior and mood, feelings of hopelessness, changes in sleep and withdrawing from activities they used to enjoy can be a signal that someone is struggling.

Tips and resources can be found on the websites of organizations including the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the American Psychiatric Association.

You can also call, text or chat with 988 to get guidance on how to start a conversation.