Being a caregiver, either as a career or for a loved one, can be a deeply rewarding way for you to provide support to people who are experiencing daily challenges, both physically and mentally. However, the role can also result in challenges for you. It can take a physical, emotional and mental toll that shouldn’t be disregarded, even during times of crisis.

In terms of mental health, crisis management is a process that everyone should have some education on, whether it be knowing the hotlines to call or safely restricting access to potential means of harm. For a caregiver, crisis management is a skill that’s essential for keeping your individual safe and supported when they’re having severe mental health symptoms without disregarding your own well-being. 

People can experience a crisis from worsening symptoms from any sort of mental health challenge, which could include:

• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Major depressive disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Suicidal behaviors or thoughts

If the person you’re caring for is a danger to themselves or others, call or text 988, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, for immediate support.

By keeping these four tips in mind for a future crisis (always better safe than sorry), you can prioritize your individual’s well-being along with your own:

• Reduce uncertainty by regularly updating the plans.

Crisis management is all about knowing how to keep someone safe when a serious situation happens. But if you made a plan months or years ago and haven’t looked at it since, it’s probably time for an update. To stay as grounded as possible during a mental health crisis, it’s good to regularly refamiliarize yourself with the information and make updates if needed. This may include:

• Adding new medications to the list
• Verifying emergency contact numbers in case they’ve changed
• Updating the information for local mental health facilities

Effective crisis management reduces the uncertainty as much as possible in a situation when there are factors out of your control.

• Practice stress management techniques with the individual.

Knowing how to manage both your stress and the stress of the person you’re caring for can reduce the risk of escalating their behavior and ensuring that you’re taking the proper steps. By learning stress management techniques with the individual you’re caring for and practicing them together, you’re developing a toolbox of strategies that can help you both stay calm.

Stress management techniques to incorporate into crisis management include:

• Breathing exercises
• Engaging all five senses (5-4-3-2-1 method)
• Progressive muscle relaxation

If you’re panicking while the person is experiencing severe symptoms, it can be nearly impossible to carry out the management plan. Performing stress management techniques can help to reset the brain so you can think effectively.

Keep in mind that some crises don’t allow the time to complete a technique, but try to do them if you have a moment.

• Provide reassurance and validation for both you and the individual.

No matter what’s occurring during a crisis, there’s always room for words of encouragement, reassurance and validation. When you’re trying to stay grounded during a crisis, you can soothe the individual by letting them know that it’s OK to feel their feelings but that they are strong enough to get through it.

The same concept applies to you. You can use self-talk to keep your mindset as positive as possible. Affirmations allow you to recognize your strengths in the situation.

Reassuring and validating statements may include:

• “We’re strong enough to get through this.”
• “We’re doing the best we can with what’s in our control.”
• “You’re not alone.”

• Seek support from others.

During a crisis, it’s important to lean on your support system as much as possible. This includes the loved ones of the person you’re caring for and community resources. By knowing who you can depend on when you need them the most, you can feel more confident in the outcome of the situation.

Seeking support as a caregiver involves:

• Calling emergency services as soon as possible
• Keeping the person’s family updated
• Gaining insight from other caregivers

Being a caregiver isn’t easy, especially when you have to snap into action during a crisis to keep the person safe. Incorporating these tips into your crisis management plan can help you maintain the physical, mental and emotional well-being of both yourself and the person you’re caring for. 

If the stress of being a caregiver has created significant mental health challenges for you, Lightfully’s Virtual Partial Hospitalization Program (vPHP) is worth considering.

Our vPHP provides intensive, structured virtual treatment across California. It combines psychiatry, therapy and programming to help manage severe mental health symptoms without the need for in-person treatment.

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.