A health crisis is a change in mental or physical well-being that requires immediate attention and care. It is often triggered by a disease, accident, natural disaster or other unexpected event. Some people are more vulnerable to a health crisis than others. For example, those with chronic illnesses may experience a health crisis more frequently than those without.
A crisis can have devastating consequences for individuals and the entire population, including loss of life. It also can bring new, unanticipated challenges to the health sector.
Developing an effective response to a health crisis is complex and requires careful planning, coordination, collaboration and communication between multiple partners. A key challenge is identifying what will be needed in an emergency, and then developing plans to ensure those resources are available.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought increased attention to longstanding inequities in healthcare access and outcomes, especially for communities of color and those living with lower incomes. While many health institutions are responding to this growing concern, the focus must be on addressing the root causes.
The best way to help a person during a mental health crisis is to listen and validate their experiences. It’s also important to provide reassurance and comfort. You can also help by helping the person to develop coping strategies and to access community services and support. Finally, you can help by maintaining open lines of communication with the person, and making sure they know that you’re a trusted resource for assistance during a crisis.