Crisis Tips for emotional distress

1. Breathe!: Often when people are experiencing extreme stress their breathing becomes shallow. Try to slow your breathing. Take as full of a breath as possible and then breath out as slowly as possible. Try not to focus on anything except your breathing. Continue with full, slow inhalations and full, slow exhalations.

2. Find Support: Find a friend or an SA to help you with your crisis. In person is best but if that is not available you may call a friend or family member.

3. Go For A Walk or Run: Sometimes just removing yourself from the situation with time to clear your head in the fresh air can be a great help. Exercise can be a way to get rid of your emotional energy, especially if you are very angry.

4. Get Help: If you are having a physical or medical emergency call 911 or go to the emergency room. If you need to speak to a counselor, call 785-4014 during office hours or 665-5621 after hours and ask to speak to a Truman Counselor.

Below are crisis numbers that you may call from anywhere in the United States:

1-800-SUICIDE

1-800-273-TALK