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Immediate Support and Emergencies

As I do not provide immediate support and/or emergency services, I have provided the following information in hopes of helping prepare parents and caregivers in the event that your child has an emergency or mental health crisis. 

What does a child mental health crisis look like?

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Although it is not uncommon for children to experience challenging emotions that can be difficult to relieve, knowing what to do in the event that a child cannot calm down, is uncontrollable, or is in sudden danger of hurting themselves or others can be indispensable for ensuring your child's safety.

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The following are signs that your child may be experiencing a mental health crisis and may be in need of immediate action or intervention:

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  • Rapid mood swings;

  • Extreme energy or lack of, excessive sleeping, or inability to sleep;

  • Inability to perform daily tasks;

  • Severe agitation and/or pacing;

  • Risk-taking and/or 'out of control' behaviour;

  • Rapid, continuous speech;

  • Distorted thinking or irrational thoughts;

  • Thinking everyone is out to get them;

  • Loss of touch with reality;

  • Hallucinations and/or delusions;

  • Self-made threats to others or themselves;

  • Isolating behaviours from friends and family (e.g., not coming out of their room);

  • Not eating or excessive eating;

  • Rapid weight loss or weight gain;

  • Self-harming behaviours;

  • Suicidal thoughts, statements (e.g., “I want to die” or “I don’t want to be here anymore”), and/or attempts.

What do I do if my child appears to be having a mental health crisis or emergency?

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​It is best to follow your instincts, you are the expert with your child. If your child is behaving differently than normal and/or the situation seems uncontrollable, reach out for help.

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If you feel your child is in immediate or imminent danger to themselves or others, call 9-1-1 or visit your local hospital's emergency room.

 

*Ensure to let emergency personnel know that your child may be experiencing a mental health emergency.

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Other emergency resources:

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  • Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 - free, national, bilingual, confidential, and anonymous 24-hour telephone and online counselling service for kids.

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  • 1800SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) - confidential, 24-hours a day, toll-free crisis line for ANYONE feeling suicidal, for those who are concerned for someone who might be suicidal, or for emotional support. Available in over 140 languages.

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  • 310Mental Health Support: 310-6789 (no area code necessary) - free provincial access to emotional support, information, and resources specific to mental health, available 24-hours a day.

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(Association for Children's Mental Health, n.d.; Kelty Mental Health, n.d.)

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