Mental Health Crisis Plan

A person, while they are well, needs to sit down with someone they are close to or a counselor to help set up a basic crisis plan. No one ever knows when or if they will ever need one, but having it on hand would help if needed. This is especially good for anyone who has had mental health problems. A crisis plan helps people know about the person and help the person help himself or herself while they can.

Some of the basic things to have on a crisis plan would be medications and what they are for, who you would want to help make decisions for you and who you don't want involved in decisions. Other things would include where you would need to go for care. Would you be able to remain at home with help there? Then, anything else you would want the one helping you make decisions to know. Be sure to sign it, date it, get a witness or lawyer to sign it and then get it notarized.

While making a crisis plan is important, it will take you some time to get it done. Don't think you will be able to do one in just a few hours. Be sure you are feeling good when you are working on it. Get your health care provider involved with it because he/she know the problems you have.

Some of your symptoms may be just simple things while some may be more sever, like thinking you are someone else, or excessive alcohol and drub abuse. Mental problems can happen to anyone of all ages. Schools need to have a crisis plans on hand if a child is known to be unstable. If the personnel have a plan in place they will know what to do until help arrives. Just being there to listen can help a lot.

So take the time and do what should be done just in case. It is better to be safe than sorry, right?