Finding Help

What is Counseling?

Choosing a Therapist

About Confidentiality

About Anxiety

About Depression

About Crisis

Marriage & Family Counseling

What is a Crisis?

Crisis

Crisis is unpredictable and unexpected. It can be devastating. People suffering from the trauma accompanying a crisis may experience:

• Inability to sleep.
• Poor concentration.
• Intrusive and painful memories of the trauma
• Sadness.
• Feelings of being overwhelmed.
• Impatience and anger.

These are normal responses to an abnormal situation. They are not the signs of mental illness; however, counseling can help you to adjusting to the new situation that follows a crisis.

Ways to cope with a crisis include:

• Recognizing your own feelings and acknowledging that they are a normal response to an abnormal situation.
• Talking to other people about your fear, sadness and hopelessness.
• Being willing to listen to others who may feel the same way.
• Being patient with yourself and with the people around you.
• Recognizing that normal responses to crisis can include trouble sleeping, withdrawal from friends and problems concentrating.
• Taking time to do things you enjoy.
• Seeking counseling for yourself and your family.  

National Resources

HOTLINES

1(800) Suicide Line --    1(800) 784-2433  This line automatically, using your area code, connects you to a nearby suicide line.  However, if you call from a cell phone or have a line which blocks your phone number from registering, this isn't automatic. This line is likely to change in the near future as SAMSA has shifted its contract.

National Runaway Switchboard -- 1(800) Runaway  (800 - 786-2929)  This line can help you locate resources -- especially ones for runaways -- nationally.  It is especially good at finding counseling resources for young people in crisis.

Boys Town Suicide and Crisis Line      (800)488-3000 or (800)448-1833 (TDD)
Provides short-term crisis intervention, counseling and referrals to local resources. Counsels on parent-child conflicts, marital and family issues, suicide, pregnancy, runaway youth, physical and sexual abuse.

National Domestic Violence Hotline    (800)799-7233 or (800)787-3224 (TDD)
Provides crisis intervention and referrals to local services and shelters for victims of partner or spousal abuse. English and Spanish speaking advocates.

National Drug Information Treatment and Referral Hotline (800)662-2463
Information, support, treatment options and referrals to local rehabilitation centers for any drug or alcohol problem.       

Web sites

American Association of Suicidology     www.suicidology.org/
The American Association of Suicidology is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the understanding and prevention of suicide. This site has links to crisis intervention centers in every state. It is an invaluable resource.

Mental Health Net - Suicide Resources mhnet.org/guide/suicidal.htm
A comprehensive listing of suicide information and self-help resources online.

Befrienders International - www.suicide-helplines.org
A comprehensive suicide referral website. Gateway to hundreds of suicide helplines and emotional first aid centers worldwide and on the Internet.

Metropolitan Twin Cities of Minneapolis & St. Paul

Crisis Connection --(612) 379-6363

A 24 hour hotline and crisis intervention program which has been operating for more than 35 years to provide crisis intervention and referral.  Crisis connection can refer you to other local resources.  Each county has some sort of a crisis response service or team.

Acute Psychiatric Services, Hennepin County Medical Center -- Suicide Line (612) 873-2222 --   Crisis Line (612) 873-3161 provides access to Behavior Emergency Outreach Program (BEOP) but access to other Hennepin County crisis services is through the Front Door at (612) 348-4111.

For people in the Twin City metropolitan area the Walk-In Counseling Center is available for crisis intervention during our walk in hours.  It is best to come in at the beginning of those hours -- 1 PM in the afternoons we are open, or 6:30 PM in the evenings we are open:

Monday thru Thursday              6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Monday, Wed. and Fri                1:00 PM to 3:00 PM