Crisis & Suicide

Help for You

Talking with someone about your thoughts and feelings can save your life. There are steps you can take to keep yourself safe through a crisis. Contact 988 any time to be connected with an experienced crisis counselor who will connect you with the support you need and also find resources on:

  • Finding a therapist/support group.
  • Building and using a support network.
  • Making a safety plan for yourself.

Help for Someone You Know

Learn how to recognize the warning signs when someone’s at risk—and what action steps you can take. If you believe someone may be in danger of suicide:

  • Call 911, if danger for self-harm seems imminent.
  • Contact 988 to speak with to a crisis counselor and follow their guidance.
  • Ask them if they are thinking about killing themselves. This will not put the idea into their head or make it more likely that they will attempt suicide.
  • Listen without judging and show you care.
  • Stay with the person or make sure the person is in a private, secure place with another caring person until you can get further help.
  • Remove any objects that could be used in a suicide attempt.

If you have a number that is outside the (808) area code and wish to be connected with a Hawai‘i CARES 988 local crisis counselor, please use our direct number. (808-832-3100) or toll-free (800-753-6879).

How We Help: Suicide Prevention

  • We provide therapeutic support and de-escalation techniques to active suicidal callers.
  • We connect with crisis services through CARE Hawaiʻi.
  • If it’s helpful to your situation, we have a local crisis therapist who can be sent out to you through the Crisis Mobile Outreach program (see more information below).
  • We provide face-to-face, short term, crisis intervention and mental health support in a variety of community settings during a mental health crisis.
  • We provide a trauma informed care response to the person in crisis, with an initial screening and comprehensive assessment.
  • We ensure linkage with additional resources.
  • We assist the person in crisis in returning to their baseline level of functioning.
  • We assist the person in crisis in resolving crises in the least restrictive setting.
  • We assist frequent users of crisis services in developing plans to foster a sense of independence and promote their own wellness.

How We Help: Crisis Mobile Outreach

  • Get in person help in as soon as 45 minutes.
  • Our team of qualified staff and administrators offer every caller our experience and our compassion. When you reach out to us, you’re brave and ready for things to be different.
  • We will link you with community supports that address your needs including, if it’s helpful to your situation, arranging a local crisis therapist who can be sent out to you within 45 minutes. This is called our Crisis Mobile Outreach service.

Crisis Mobile Outreach:

  • Provides face-to-face, short term, crisis intervention and mental health support in a variety of community settings during a mental health crisis.
  • Provides a trauma informed care response to the person in crisis, with an initial screening and comprehensive assessment.
  • Ensures linkage with additional resources.
  • Assists the person in crisis in returning to their baseline level of functioning.
  • Assists the person in crisis in resolving crises in the least restrictive setting.
  • Assists frequent users of crisis services in developing plans to foster a sense of independence and promote their own wellness.

How We Help: Crisis Support Management

  • Through a referral from the Crisis Mobile Outreach  program, we provide 30-day temporary case management. 
  • We provide face-to-face contact with each referred consumer at first possible opportunity but no longer than 24 hours after each referral received. 
  • We provide maximum effort to support and assist while linking the consumer to additional services. 
  • For consumers who are enrolled with a health plan, link with their plan. 
  • We make referrals and connections to a consulting psychiatrist to provide assessment, prescriptions if needed, and/or medication management. 

How We Help: Crisis Stabilization Services

  • Designed to provide shelter and support for consumers in crisis who would continue to be at high risk without the benefit of the 24-hour support services.
  • 10-14 day temporary admit – meals are provided, with nursing on staff to assist with medications and medical monitoring as needed for our Licensed Crisis Residential Services (LCRS).
  • Availability is based on open bed space; no reservations or holding of beds.
  • Provide screening, assessment (includes physical health assessment and referral for health care for physical health issues), and treatment planning designed to identify the nature of the crisis.
  • Provide continued intervention and support, and assist consumers in developing skills to manage their recovery.
  • Crisis Stabilization Services may be used as a step-down service from admission to a hospital.
  • Crisis Stabilization Services may be available for clients in crisis with mental health concerns or substance use disorder and need a stabilization bed as a bridge or a long-term solution in their continuum of care.
  • Crisis Stabilization Beds is NOT a homeless shelter—it’s meant for stabilization and to prevent serious mental health decompensation, psychotic episodes or hospitalization.

If you have a number that is outside the (808) area code and wish to be connected with a Hawai‘i CARES 988 local crisis counselor, please use our direct number. (808-832-3100) or toll-free (800-753-6879).