How To Prevent A Mental Health Crisis

Every year, on 10 September, we come together for World Suicide Prevention Day – a day to remind ourselves and each other that there is always hope, even in our darkest moments. This year, we are very excited to announce that Safe Harbour, our new crisis prevention service, is precisely designed to be there for you when you need it the most, to give you a new sense of hope and work with you to help you build resilience for when things get tough.

Carlota, one of our Safe Harbour Practitioners, shares her thoughts on how to prevent a mental health crisis when you are feeling vulnerable, whether it is by accessing Safe Harbour or using self-help techniques. She writes:

“Safe Harbour is more than just a crisis prevention service; it is a place where you can find support, understanding, and a listening ear. We know life can get overwhelming, and sometimes it feels like there is no way out. That is where Safe Harbour comes in.

Here is how Safe harbour can support you:

1. Morning drop ins: Whether you need a chat, a cup of coffee, or just a friendly face, our doors are open every morning from 10-11 am.

2. One-to-one support: We offer one-to-one session to help you work through whatever you are facing. Our team is here to listen and support you.

3. Tailored plans: Together, we can create a plan that fits your needs, whether you are looking for crisis management tools or just some guidance on how to move forward.

4. Support groups: We also provide support groups such as crisis management, resilience and sleep hygiene.

Please note that Safe Harbour accepts clinical referrals only. If you feel you would benefit from this support, please contact your GP or visit Safe Haven for a referral. Safe Harbour offers 6 weeks of support around crisis prevention and resilience building. For long term support, you will be signposted to other services, such as Community Connections.

Tips to maintain wellbeing

Outside of Safe Harbour, if you are feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do about it, here are a few things that might help you:

1. Mindfulness and journaling: by taking the time to reflect on your thoughts, you can take some distance, cultivate greater self-awareness and emotional regulation, as well as see evidence in writing or any progress you are making if you decide to try journaling. To find out more about the benefits of journaling for mental health, read Chris’ blog.

2. Reach out and connect: One of the most successful ways to break isolation is by reaching out to someone you trust. Whether it is a family member or a friend, sharing your thoughts and feelings can help with the burden you are carrying.

3. Grounding techniques: When you are feeling overwhelmed, grounding techniques can bring you back to the present moment. One of the most successful methods is 5-4-3-2-1. Get in a comfortable position and take slow deep breaths. Once you’ve done that, you will name 5 things you can see around you, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smells and 1 emotion you can feel. This practice can help you regain control when you feel overwhelmed.

4. Safety plan: safety plan is a personalised, practical tool that can help you stay safe when you are feeling low or overwhelmed. You can write down possible triggers, warning signs and a list of coping strategies that you’ve used in the past and worked. Moreover, you could include resources and contacts such as the crisis lines or visit our crisis drop in service, Safe Haven.

5. Focus on small achievable goals: when you are in crisis, the future can feel very overwhelming. Instead of focusing on the big picture, break it down into manageable goals. You can start with something simple such as getting out of bed or having a shower. Each small victory can give you strength, helping you to move forward.

On World Suicide Prevention Day, let’s spread the message that help is available, hope is real, and that no -one has to face their struggles alone.”

Safe Harbour

For more information about Safe Harbour, who the service is for, what it offers and who can refer to it, please read our Safe Harbour press release.

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