A mental health crisis does not always look the same for everyone.
Sometimes you may feel overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or like you are simply spinning and need someone qualified to talk to. You may reach out to friends or support groups and still feel like you need additional help.
In this video, Adeline shares something she recently learned about mental health crisis and emotional support resources in the United States.
🧠 You Don’t Have to Handle It Alone
After her traumatic brain injury, Adeline experienced a very difficult day when talking with friends and attending support groups was not enough.
She realized she needed to speak with someone who was trained to provide mental health support.
For people in the United States, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by phone, text, and chat. Importantly, 988 is not only for people who are suicidal. The official 988 Lifeline says people can reach out for mental health or emotional distress, loneliness, substance use concerns, and other difficult situations.
📞 988 Is Available 24/7
If you are in the U.S. and need emotional or crisis support, you can:
📞 Call 988
💬 Text 988
💻 Chat through the 988 Lifeline website
These services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and are free and confidential.
You do not have to know exactly what to say.
A trained counselor can listen, ask about your safety, understand what you are experiencing, and help connect you with appropriate resources.
💗 Brain Injury Can Make Support More Complicated
After a brain injury, friends and family may love you deeply but still not know how to respond to everything you are experiencing.
Your symptoms may be difficult to explain.
You may feel different from the person you were before your injury.
You may experience emotional changes, exhaustion, frustration, or difficult days that other people do not fully understand.
That does not mean you are failing.
It means you may need the right kind of support.
📍 Local Resources Can Help Too
In addition to 988, many communities have their own mental health crisis services.
For example, the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Help Line is currently available 24/7 at 800-854-7771. Los Angeles County also describes this number as a resource for people experiencing a mental health crisis and for connecting people with specialized support.
If you live somewhere else, search for your local government or behavioral health department and look for its current crisis or mental health support line.
It can be helpful to save the number before you need it.
📝 Put the Number Somewhere You Can Find It
When you are having a difficult day, searching for information can feel like another task you cannot manage.
So make it easier for yourself.
Write your local crisis or emotional support number on a sticky note.
📌 Put it somewhere you naturally look.
A tissue box.
Your refrigerator.
Your nightstand.
Your phone.
Your wallet.
The goal is simple: make the information easy to find when you need it.
🌱 Support Between Appointments Matters
Adeline also talks about an important part of life after brain injury.
A doctor or therapist may only be available for a limited amount of time each week.
But difficult moments can happen at any hour.
That does not replace professional medical or mental health care. Instead, knowing where to reach out when you need additional support can help you have options between appointments.
You do not have to wait until everything becomes unbearable before asking for help.
💗 You Are Not Alone
One difficult day does not define your recovery.
One difficult moment does not mean you have failed.
Sometimes the most important thing you can do is recognize that you need support and reach out.
Whether that means calling a trusted person, attending a support group, contacting your healthcare professional, or using a crisis or emotional support service, asking for help is an important step.
💗 Love Love Brain Note
If you are struggling, please do not feel that you have to figure everything out by yourself.
Save the numbers.
Tell someone you trust.
Talk to your healthcare team.
And know what crisis resources are available where you live.
For people in the United States, 988 is available 24/7 by call, text, or chat for mental health and emotional support.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger or needs immediate medical attention, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
You deserve support, even on the days when you are struggling. 💗
🎥 Watch the Video
Watch Adeline share what she learned about mental health crisis and emotional support resources.
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Note: Every brain injury is different. This content is for education and support, not medical advice. Crisis resources and service availability can change, so verify current information with the official service in your area.
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