In Crisis? Call Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988
In Crisis? Call Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988
We want you to know help is on its way. You’re not alone in this and there are a lot of people out there who can help you. You’re one step closer to home. Safety, compassion, and freedom is possible. Come on in and gather some relief. Stay as long as you need.
Choose the hotline if you’re in danger of suicide right now, or the peer warmline if you need a lower-stakes option and need to talk through some things with someone who has firsthand experience. If you are in imminent danger from yourself or someone else, it would be good to call the Mobile Crisis line who can dispatch a mobile unit of medical professionals to you. Reinforcements are always a good idea when we’re feeling unsafe.
Free, private and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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For more support about crisis response, refer to our FAQ For Parents and For Youth (coming soon) or search “Crisis” on our Resource Hub.
Not in crisis? Below we highlight more support, resources, and programs we offer our community.
Let’s find your way home.
There are a lot of ways you probably feel you need help. Crisis lines are only part of the story. This Mental Health First Aid page should help to get you oriented. We recommend starting with these areas of our website:
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If you’re feeling significant stress and want a healthcare perspective, here are some options:
Children and adolescents’ doctors can do initial screening for youth who are struggling with a mental health challenge. They’ll usually ask about mood and energy, attention and school performance, the family situation at home, interest in hobbies, substance use and sexual activity if applicable. They may ask their patients to do a PHQ for mood or anxiety symptoms too, which is a basic screening questionnaire for mental health.
Daymark Recovery Services runs Charlotte’s Behavioral Health Urgent Care center. It is an alternative to the ER or inpatient hospital where the staff aims to reduce symptoms and provide immediate care and intervention in a crisis or anticipated crisis. Their care is designed to support an individual remaining in the community and to effect symptom reduction, risk-of-harm reduction, and/or safe transition of persons in acute crises to appropriate crisis stabilization and detoxification services. The BHUC is open 24/7/365. No appointment is needed and a person can walk in. Search “Urgent Care” in our Resource Hub for more information.
If doctors or licensed mental health workers decide it would be appropriate for the person to stay in intensive residential care, you may choose to seek that option. It might be strongly suggested or implemented depending on the severity of suffering and symptoms. Inpatient units provide 24/7 supervision and support in reducing symptoms and improving coping skills. Medication prescription and management, individual and group therapy, and activities with other residents is typical here for a person with a range of conditions or mental health challenges. Certain units may specialize in a specific illness or challenge, and you can look into those that may suit you or your loved one. Search “by Modality” in our Resource Hub, select “Intensive Inpatient Residential” in the Modality drop down for information cards for these programs in Mecklenburg County.
This is the type of therapy that is outside of hospital situations. Psychiatrists and therapists who are specialized but not in intensive units are outpatient providers. Therapy is usually accessible with or without a referral depending on insurance coverage, while psychiatry may require a referral from a pediatrician or PCP. Outpatient care is where you’ll find ongoing support before, after, or alongside intensive care depending on your circumstances. Numerous types of therapists are available in this category including psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychiatrists, licensed clinical psychologists, social workers, and counseling professionals. You can find a more detailed description of each of these in our glossary of terms. Search our Resource HUB for this level of care in Charlotte. Depending on what level you need: start with a filter “by category.” Then select “Therapy/Counseling,” “Psychiatry/Medication Management” or “Wellness/Community.”
Want to learn more? Visit our Glossary page to find definitions for Mental Health Issues, Types of Help (like Psychiatrist vs. Psychologist), Therapy Settings, and more:
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When crisis is looming, it’s the worst feeling in the world. We have personally been there, and we are here for you in every way we can be.
Crisis can mean all sorts of things to different people, but by and large, if you are suffering to a point where functioning in everyday life is greatly diminished or impossible, you are in crisis. This is definitely the time to speak up and take action for your health.
It can be a scary thing when it feels like you’ve run out of options. But we promise, there are always paths forward and people to help.
Check out our FAQ “How do I know if someone is in Crisis?” for more insight into what might be going on.
If this all still feels too overwhelming, consider calling NAMI Charlotte to talk to someone one on one. 704-705-7004. They have people on staff Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm.
** This is NOT a crisis line, but rather a line “offering support and information about mental health services.” They will follow up with a “personalized resources” email especially for you.