r/depression • u/MariahKitty • 18h ago
Where can you go when you need help?
I’m in the US and having a crisis. I’ve been sobbing in my car for 2 hours. & hyperventilating. Called the local mental health hotline and no one picked up. Should I go to a hospital? What would they do there? I need a way to stop feeling so hopeless. Can any quick medication do that? I want to feel better but don’t know how and it’s urgent. I’m afraid of what will happen if I don’t get help immediately. I want to disappear.
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u/rockinnit 18h ago
There are a LOT of mental health hotline numbers available.. did none of them pick up?
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u/MariahKitty 18h ago
I just called the one for the state that I live in. I’ll do another search. My Dr gave me a list of other urgent psych numbers but it’s after hours now.
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u/Usual-Wear5524 17h ago
Look up local respite centers, they're similar to an ER but they are there to help stabilize and provide resources, it's fully voluntary to go and stay. They can help provide support and safety, without being forced to stay or being in a hospital.
Also, there are A LOT of mental health hotline and warmline numbers to talk to
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u/MzKittyCat1 9h ago
Unfortunately there are far and few of those in the USA. There are none where I live
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u/cantsleepdemon 13h ago
Also wanted to add, in regards to you asking if there was a medication you can take: Yes and no. I’ve been if your state many times and have tried many things. They ER will not likely give you benzos (I don’t know where in the US you are but in the Bay Area they don’t and I suspect that many hospitals have guidelines that prohibit them from giving them out). A mental hospital/ward may give you sedatives or things to help you sleep which might be what you need. I don’t know what your experience with medication is but there are a few fairly benign ones that might work for you if you just need to sleep. They don’t really do much for me.
I take weed edibles when I’m in a severe crisis moment. I take a lot and watch TV and fall asleep. It often works, but I have had a couple of panic attacks on them too (maybe like 4 or five and I’ve taken them 100s of times in crisis).
I hope you feel better soon. I know it’s so hard and I really feel for you.
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u/goodvibes13202013 12h ago
Hope you were able to talk to someone op. There are local, state, national, university, and non-profit helplines, so there is always more than the first option you tried! As another commenter said, yes and no. Sometimes in a crisis the best thing is an anti-anxiety medicine to help you calm down and sleep, especially since a lack of sleep can often make those of us with depression/mental illness more symptomatic. When in doubt, do not be afraid to go to the hospital! They will watch over you to keep you safe for the time being
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u/Ok_Squash_5031 7h ago
I hope that you found someone to talk to. And a short term solution until you can see your MD
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u/cantsleepdemon 14h ago
Hey, were you able to talk to someone?
Having been to the ER for mental health crisis this is what happens if you say you are feeling suicidal: they immediately put you in a bed (they are supposed to treat it as a top emergency and you shouldn’t be left to wait, I’m sure this varies depending on where you are but this is has also been my experience). The bed will likely be in a hallway or somewhere where someone can have eyes on you at all times. They will likely wait until they can contact their mental health professional— this may not be until the morning— to do your assessment. If you present as extremely agitated they may put you on psychiatric hold but probably not. If you ask to be committed voluntarily they will send you to a mental ward or inpatient care facility, depending on your insurance and who has a “bed” open.
IMO this is only a useful option if you feel like you can’t or don’t want to be alone for the night (or the next couple of days if you are committed and put on a hold). I have never gotten more help than that