Crisis vs non-crisis: where to go

When you are worried about yourself or someone else, it can be hard to know whether this is an emergency or something that can wait for an appointment. Knowing the difference helps you get the right help quickly.

What it is

A mental health crisis is a situation where someone is at immediate risk, such as active thoughts of suicide or self-harm with a plan, a severe panic episode that will not ease, psychosis, or a situation involving violence or abuse. A non-crisis struggle is ongoing difficulty, such as low mood, stress, anxiety or grief, that is real and deserves support but does not involve immediate danger. Both matter, but they need different response times and services.

Signs to notice

Crisis indicators

• Talking about wanting to die, disappear, or not wake up, especially with a specific plan.
• Self-harm that is active or escalating.
• Severe agitation, confusion, or loss of touch with reality.
• Immediate danger from violence, abuse or an unsafe environment.

Non-crisis indicators

• Persistent low mood, anxiety or stress over weeks without immediate danger.
• Difficulty coping with work, relationships or daily tasks.
• Feeling overwhelmed but able to keep yourself safe right now.

What helps

• In a crisis, act immediately: call a crisis line, go to a hospital emergency department, or call emergency services. Do not leave someone in crisis alone.
• In a non-crisis situation, book an appointment with a counsellor, your EAP, or a GP as a starting point, rather than waiting for things to escalate.
• If you are unsure which category applies, treat it as urgent and call a helpline to talk it through; trained counsellors can help you assess next steps.
• Save crisis numbers in your phone now, before you need them, so they are easy to find under pressure.
• Make a simple safety plan in advance if you or a loved one has a history of crisis episodes, listing who to call and what steps to take.

When to reach out for help

Reach out immediately for any crisis indicator above. For non-crisis but ongoing difficulty, reach out within the next few days rather than waiting for things to become unmanageable.

Getting help in South Africa

For non-crisis support, contact your Cleared Mind EAP counsellor or SADAG's Mental Health Line (011 234 4837). For emergencies, call SAPS on 10111, an ambulance on 10177, or the GBV Command Centre on 0800 428 428.

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If you or someone else is in immediate danger, reach out now. SADAG Suicide Crisis Helpline (24h): 0800 567 567 or SMS 31393. SAPS 10111, ambulance 10177, GBV Command Centre 0800 428 428.