Call or text 988
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. For emotional distress, suicide risk, substance-related crisis, or concern about another person.
Open 988 Lifeline
Safety comes first
Get help now
You do not need to prove or disprove a surveillance or mission belief before asking for help. Distress, risk, lost sleep, confusion, and unsafe behavior are enough reasons to act.
Call emergency services or go to an emergency department now if any of these apply
- There is a plan or intent to die, self-harm, attack someone, or “escape” capture.
- A weapon is present, or someone plans to confront a perceived agent, stalker, handler, or official.
- The person is trying to enter a restricted location, flee at high speed, destroy property, or take another dangerous action.
- They cannot safely eat, drink, sleep, take essential medication, or care for basic needs.
- There is severe confusion, a seizure, fever, fainting, new weakness, severe headache, or altered consciousness.
- Symptoms began abruptly after a head injury, medication change, intoxication, or withdrawal.
- This is a rapidly worsening first episode, especially after age 40 or during pregnancy/postpartum.
- Voices or an AI system appear to be commanding immediate harmful or illegal action.
Do not drive yourself if you are severely frightened, confused, sleep-deprived, intoxicated, agitated, or acting on a mission. Ask a trusted person, ambulance, or crisis team to help with transport.
Official crisis contacts
Talk with a trained crisis counselor
Services can change. Use the linked official page for current phone, text, chat, accessibility, and eligibility details.
Call or text 9-8-8
Canada’s national suicide crisis helpline. Available by phone and text.
Open 9-8-8 CanadaCall 116 123
Samaritans provides confidential emotional support. NHS urgent mental-health routes are also listed below.
Contact SamaritansCall 13 11 14
Lifeline Australia provides crisis support by phone, text, and chat.
Open LifelineCall or text 1737
Free, confidential support from a trained counselor in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Open 1737Find a local line
Find A Helpline lists verified crisis and emotional-support services in many countries.
Find a helpline
The next ten minutes
Make the situation smaller and safer
- Stop movement and action. Put down keys, tools, weapons, and devices. Do not drive, confront, trespass, or follow a mission.
- Move to a lower-stimulation place. Reduce noise, news, social media, AI chat, and crowds. Keep an easy exit and avoid blocking anyone in.
- Bring in one calm person. Choose someone who will listen without arguing or joining an investigation.
- Address immediate body needs. Sip water, eat something simple if safe, and tell the responder how long you have slept.
- Contact care. Call a clinician, crisis line, mobile crisis team, early-psychosis service, urgent care, or emergency department.
Words you can use
Ask for help without explaining every detail
A brief safety-focused description helps responders understand the urgency.
Calling a crisis line
I am extremely frightened and believe I may be watched or given a mission. I have not been sleeping and I am worried I might act on it. I need help staying safe and finding an urgent mental-health assessment.
Calling emergency services
This may be a mental-health or medical emergency involving possible psychosis. The person is very frightened and is [suicidal / armed / confused / not sleeping / trying to confront someone]. Please send responders trained in crisis de-escalation if available.
Talking to a trusted person
This feels completely real to me, but I know I am overwhelmed and not sleeping. Please stay with me, help me avoid acting on it, and help me contact a clinician or crisis service.
Information for responders
Share the facts that affect safety and medical care
- Current thoughts of suicide, self-harm, harm to others, or escape.
- Weapons, driving, travel plans, restricted locations, or confrontations.
- Hours of sleep over the last several nights.
- Alcohol, cannabis, stimulants, hallucinogens, supplements, or withdrawal.
- Prescription changes, missed doses, steroids, or new medications.
- Fever, seizure, head injury, severe headache, weakness, pregnancy/postpartum, or unusual movements.
Make a plan while things are calmer
Record trusted contacts, early warning signs, medical information, preferred crisis services, and boundaries around AI, social media, driving, finances, and weapons. The support-plan tool stores information only in this browser unless you print or download it.
Build a personal support plan