Deciding whether to call the 988 Mental Crisis Hotline or 911 Emergency largely depends on the nature and severity of the situation.
988 Mental Crisis Hotline:
- Mental Health Concerns: Call 988 if you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, such as severe anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, or emotional distress.
- Non-Emergency Situations: If the situation is not immediately life-threatening but requires mental health support or intervention, 988 is appropriate.
- Counseling and Support: Trained counselors on the 988 hotline can provide guidance, support, and referrals to appropriate mental health resources.
911 Emergency:
- Life-Threatening Emergencies: Call 911 if there is an immediate threat to life or property, such as a medical emergency, fire, crime in progress, or any situation requiring urgent intervention.
- Physical Danger: If someone is injured, having difficulty breathing, experiencing severe pain, unconscious, or in immediate physical danger, call 911.
- Violence or Crime: For situations involving violence, assault, domestic abuse, or witnessing a crime, 911 is the appropriate number to call for immediate police assistance.
In summary, if you or someone else is experiencing a mental health crisis but it’s not an immediate life-threatening situation, call 988. If there’s an emergency requiring urgent medical, police, or fire department assistance, call 911. It’s essential to assess the situation and choose the appropriate hotline for the level of urgency and type of assistance needed.