Crisis

Experiencing a mental health or emotional crisis means feeling at breaking point and in need of urgent help.

Situations that might trigger or contribute towards experiencing a mental health or emotional crisis for children and young people:

Relationship difficulties or conflict and arguments with friends, family or partners.
Bulling/ teasing/ harassment (verbal, physical, emotional, financial, sexual); direct or indirect.
Abuse (verbal, physical, emotional, financial, sexual, neglect); direct or indirect
Being in or worrying about being in trouble.
Difficulties through social media
Having multiple demands/ having too many things to process, manage or do
Stressful or traumatic life events which can be sudden, unexpected or expected such as accidents, injury or illness, bereavement, family breakdown or change in living circumstances.
A build up of difficulties over time.

It is not just the situation itself but the thoughts the young person is experiencing along with the situation. For example, self-criticism, thoughts about not coping, about wanting to escape emotional pain. Recovery is about being able to manage difficult thoughts and feelings in a more helpful way, and deal with the situation, if that has triggered the crisis more effectively, if that is possible.

Making a coping plan with a young person:

Every young person could benefit from having their own coping plan, whether they are known to experience episodes of crisis or not. A coping plan can be completed by anyone but should always be done with a young person.

A coping plan should consider the following;

What it looks like when the young person is well, coping and functioning at their usual level.
What early warning signs begin to show when a young person is struggling.
What signs indicate when a young person is in crisis.
What some of the triggers or contributing factors might be for a crisis.
An action plan of what to do when the early warning signs are showing.
An action plan of what to do when in crisis

Watch a video of someone completing this coping and crisis plan with a young person here:

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What Can Trigger a Crisis?

There are many different reasons why you might feel like you’re in crisis. It’s not just about what’s happening around you, but also how those events make you think and feel. Here are some common situations that might contribute to a mental health crisis:

Relationship struggles – arguments or tension with friends, family, or partners.
Bullying or harassment – whether it’s verbal, physical, emotional, financial, or even sexual, bullying can have a huge impact on mental wellbeing. This can happen in person or online.
Abuse – experiencing or witnessing abuse in any form (physical, emotional, sexual, financial, or neglect) can be incredibly distressing.
Worrying about getting into trouble – feeling anxious about school, home life, or legal issues.
Social media pressure – comparing yourself to others, dealing with negative comments, or experiencing cyberbullying.
Feeling overwhelmed – having too many things to manage, like schoolwork, responsibilities, or personal struggles.
Traumatic events – sudden or expected events like accidents, illness, bereavement, family breakdowns, or major changes in living situations.
A build-up of small difficulties – sometimes, lots of little things build up over time and become too much to handle.

A crisis isn’t just about the event itself – it’s also about how you think and feel in response. Self-criticism, feeling like you can’t cope, or wanting to escape emotional pain can all be signs that you need support. Recovery is about finding ways to manage these thoughts and feelings in a healthier way and, where possible, addressing the situations that have contributed to the crisis.

Creating a Coping Plan

Having a personal coping plan can help you prepare for difficult times, even if you haven’t experienced a crisis before. It’s a way to understand your emotions and identify ways to cope before things get too overwhelming.

A coping plan should include:

What ‘coping’ looks like for you – Think about times when you’ve felt okay. What was going well? How were you managing daily life?
Early warning signs – What are the first signs that you’re starting to struggle? Maybe you feel more irritable, anxious, or find it harder to concentrate.
Signs of a crisis – What happens when things feel completely overwhelming? This might include feeling hopeless, having panic attacks, or struggling with self-harm thoughts.
Triggers and contributing factors – What things make you feel worse? Identifying these can help you prepare for them in the future.
Action plan for early warning signs – What can you do to help yourself when you first start feeling bad? This could include talking to someone, taking a break, or using relaxation techniques.
Action plan for a crisis – What should you do if things get really bad? This could include reaching out to a trusted adult, using crisis helplines, or seeking professional support.

Where to Get Help

If you’re struggling, you don’t have to face it alone. There are plenty of resources designed to support young people in the UK:

Websites

YoungMinds (www.youngminds.org.uk) – Information, advice, and crisis support for young people’s mental health.
Childline (www.childline.org.uk) – Free, confidential support via phone, webchat, or email (call 0800 1111).
Kooth (www.kooth.com) – Free, anonymous online mental health support and counselling.
Samaritans (www.samaritans.org) – Call 116 123 for 24/7 support.
Papyrus HOPELINEUK (www.papyrus-uk.org) – For young people experiencing suicidal thoughts (call 0800 068 4141, text 07860 039967).

Downloads

Make Your Own Crisis Coping Plan – Download here‍
Wellbeing in Action – Self-Help Booklet – Download here

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Video Showcase

How to make a Crisis Coping Plan with a Young Person - An Introduction