Hospital and Crisis Visits · Resource 1 of 6
When the Call Comes
If someone is in danger right now
- Call 911.
- Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (United States): call or text 988. Call with the person if they are willing.
- Do not leave them alone until help arrives or someone responsible is with them.
The next hour
- Call or text the family. Ask where they are and if now is a good time.
- Ask what you are walking into. One sentence is enough.
- Tell one person where you are going. Take someone with you if it is a home visit, a child, or a volatile situation.
- Pray in the car. Ask God for few words and the right ones.
- Go in quietly. Knock. Say who you are. Sit at eye level. Phone away.
- Listen more than you talk. "I'm so sorry. I'm here." That is enough.
- Pray short, by name. Say what happens next. When you will check in, and who they can call.
You are not there to fix it. You are there so they do not go through it alone.
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