When to seek higher care

• You are actively thinking about ending your life and have access to means, or you have made a plan.
• You are thinking about seriously harming someone else.
• You have taken more of a substance than is safe, or mixed substances, and don't feel right.
• You are seeing or hearing things others don't, and it's frightening or unfamiliar.
• You cannot safely care for yourself or a child in your care right now.

In the US, you can also call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. See all crisis resources.

• You've had thoughts of not wanting to be alive, even without a plan.
• You are not sleeping, or you are sleeping most of the day.
• You've had a panic attack, or you're avoiding places or people because of fear.
• You are using alcohol, food, or other substances in ways that scare you.
• You've experienced abuse, assault, or a serious loss in the last six months.
• A trauma memory is returning as flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive images.
• You feel numb most days, or you can't remember when you last felt something.
• Something happened that you cannot stop thinking about.

Licensed clinicians include psychiatrists (MD/DO), psychologists (PhD/PsyD), clinical social workers (LCSW), mental health counselors (LMHC/LPC), and marriage and family therapists (LMFT). Their licensure means someone can hold them accountable if the work goes wrong.

• You are stable enough day-to-day and want to deepen or accelerate healing you're already doing.
• You already have a licensed clinician and want to add body-based or spiritual practice alongside.
• You are working on meaning, purpose, or belonging more than acute symptoms.
• You want community, ritual, or embodiment that clinical therapy alone doesn't offer.

You never have to choose between a therapist and a spiritual practice, most people benefit from both. And you never have to be in crisis to deserve care. Reaching out early is not being dramatic. It's being wise.