Crisis Intervention
If you are in immediate risk of harming yourself, please call 988 right now or chat at 988lifeline.org .
Crisis comes in many forms. The root of the problem may be unchecked anxiety, depression, work pressure, stress, substance abuse, family difficulties, PTSD, and any number of things specific to your individual situation. It is always preferable to deal with issues when they are small. The solution may be as simple as mindfulness training, meditation, physical activity, or life simplification. Left unchecked, however, these previously minor issues can escalate, becoming more and more difficult to get through. If addiction is involved directly or indirectly, it will almost certainly be amplified, further complicating the situation. When this occurs, getting professional help is frequently the best approach. If your work has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), that can a good place to start. The people at MAP can also guide you to resources to help you past these difficulties. Sometimes things can escalate so fast that they become completely overwhelming, there seems to be no way out, and nothing will help.
What causes a difficult situation to rise to the level of a crisis varies by person and situation. It might be a confrontation at work or home, a sudden realization, an arrest, or something completely undefinable. It has been described as the flight/fight point, the tipping point, and other terms but when it happens, these terms are irrelevant. When it happens, however, it’s important to realize that looking from inside at problems one might only see the problems and overlook possible solutions. That’s the time to realize that it’s past time to try to do it on your own, seek immediate help, and to identify crisis intervention resources to guide you past the worst. Again, if you’re in immediate risk of harming yourself, call for help immediately. If you don’t know where to turn, please contact MAP as soon as possible by calling 207-266-5951, chat at 988lifeline.org, or emailing.