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Someone may hurt themselves and help is on the way

Use when 911 or a crisis team has been called because someone may hurt or kill themselves, and you need to keep them and others safe until help arrives.

In danger right now: call 911. Crisis or thoughts of suicide: call or text 988. Not sure where to start? Call the Silver City Gospel Mission: 575-388-5071. Police, fire or sheriff, not an emergency: 575-388-8840 (Central Dispatch). Print our list of phone numbers → · Food pantry calendar → · Free meals calendar → · Getting there: bus and rides →
These are the same steps our staff use when they help someone. "They" means the person who needs help: you, or someone you are helping. Go in order, and call ahead when you can.
In this guide
  1. Make sure help is really coming
  2. Stay with them and keep things calm
  3. Make the area safer, but don't put yourself in danger
  4. While you wait, a crisis counselor can help too
  5. When help arrives
  6. After the emergency

1Make sure help is really coming

If no one has called yet, call 911 now. If they have hurt themselves or taken pills, say so.
911 (Grant County Regional Dispatch)
Emergency: police, fire, ambulance
911
Silver City · 24/7
Tell the dispatcher if they have a weapon, pills, a rope or anything else to hurt themselves.
Stay on the line if the dispatcher asks you to. Do what they tell you.

2Stay with them and keep things calm

Do not leave them alone, not even for a minute. Send someone else to get Mission staff.
Move other people away. Keep the area quiet.
You can say"I'm here. I'm staying with you. Help is coming."
Listen more than you talk. Don't argue, judge or make promises you can't keep.
You can ask"Are you thinking about killing yourself right now?"

3Make the area safer, but don't put yourself in danger

If you can do it safely, move away pills, knives, cords, lighters and alcohol.
If they have a gun or knife, do not try to grab it. Step back, keep a way out, and tell 911.
If they leave, don't chase them. Note which way they went and what they are wearing, and tell 911.
If they took pills or drank something, keep the bottles or containers to give to the medics.
New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center (UNM)
Poison control
800-222-1222
· 24/7
Website ↗

4While you wait, a crisis counselor can help too

You can call or text 988 together while you wait. It is free and open 24 hours.
New Mexico Crisis and Access Line / 988
24/7 mental health and suicide crisis line
1-855-662-7474 · 24/7: 988
· 24/7
Website ↗
You can ask"Did you serve in the military?" If yes, dial 988 and press 1.
Veterans Crisis Line
Veterans Crisis Line (988 press 1)
988 · 24/7: 988 (press 1)
· 24/7
Website ↗

5When help arrives

Send someone to the door or street to wave responders in.
Tell them what happened, what they said, and anything they took or used.
Give them any pill bottles or the name of any medicines.
Let the responders take over. Stay nearby in case they have questions.

6After the emergency

Tell Mission staff everything. Write down what happened, the time, and who helped.

More help like this

Someone is in crisis or talking about suicideUse when someone talks about suicide or wanting to die, seems out of control, or is in a mental health crisis.Someone is loitering or causing troubleUse when someone is hanging around a doorway or business, acting strangely, or causing trouble, and you want to keep everyone safe and get them help.Grieving a death and needs supportUse when someone is grieving the death of a family member, friend, child or partner and wants comfort, a group, or counseling.Needs someone to talk to or mental health counselingUse when someone is sad, worried, stressed or grieving and wants counseling or someone to talk to, and it is not an emergency.Someone is very confused, seeing things, or out of control in publicUse when someone in public seems very confused, is talking to people who aren't there, yelling, scared, or acting in ways that worry people, and you aren't sure who to call.A teenager is struggling: sad, bullied, hurting themselves, or in troubleUse when a young person seems very sad, is being bullied, is hurting themselves, is in an unsafe relationship, or has run away.

See all guides in Emergency and first aid →

This guide is general information only, not medical, legal or other professional advice. Places and rules change, so please call before you go. In an emergency, call 911; in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Disclaimer

Know a better way? Is something out of date?

If a number or place here is wrong, you know a better resource, or you know a better way to help, tell us. We automatically check reliable sources and update supported routine details. Unclear changes and safety guidance go to our staff for review.

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Print these steps · Find more places to get help · Hours and numbers change; please call ahead. Something wrong? Tell us
Questions, or want someone to walk through this with you? The Silver City Gospel Mission, 111 S. Texas St., Silver City, 575-388-5071, weekdays 9:00am-1:45pm. Everyone is welcome.