Crisis on the team: what to do

Clear steps for managers to take when a serious safety or mental health crisis happens on their team.

2 min read · Awareness resource · Reviewed 2026-09-15

A crisis on your team - a serious injury, a death, a threat to safety, or a mental health emergency - calls for calm, clear action, not perfection.

What it is

A team crisis is any sudden, serious event that threatens someone's safety or wellbeing - this could be a team member expressing suicidal intent, a workplace accident, a violent incident, or news of a sudden death. As the manager, your first job is safety, then support, then communication - in that order.

Signs to notice

A team member expressing intent to harm themselves or others
A medical emergency or injury on-site
Reports of violence, threats, or an unsafe situation
Sudden, visible panic or breakdown during work hours
News of a death or serious harm affecting the team

What helps

Prioritise immediate safety first - call emergency services (SAPS 10111, ambulance 10177) if there's any risk to life.
Stay calm and speak in a steady, reassuring voice - your composure helps regulate the room.
Remove the person from immediate danger or an audience if possible, without leaving them alone if they're at risk.
Contact Cleared Mind or your organisation's crisis support line for guidance on next steps.
Communicate with the wider team only with accurate, necessary information - avoid speculation or oversharing details.
Arrange practical support afterwards - debriefs, counselling access, and adjusted workloads for those affected.
Document what happened factually, for HR and safety purposes, without judgement or assumptions.

When to reach out for help

Any time there's a risk to life or immediate safety, treat it as an emergency - contact emergency services and Cleared Mind without delay. Don't wait to see if things resolve on their own.

Getting help in South Africa

Cleared Mind counsellors can support you and your team through the practical and emotional aftermath of a crisis.

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.