CRISIS LINE CALGARY RESOURCES

Q: What will the ER do for a mental breakdown?

In the emergency room, staff treat a mental breakdown as a mental health or psychiatric emergency. They start with triage and medical checks to rule out issues like overdose or physical illness, then a mental health clinician completes an emergency psychiatric assessment. You may receive crisis stabilization, supportive conversation, and sometimes medication if it is appropriate. When you are safer, the team talks with you about next steps, which might include going home with a plan, urgent outpatient care, or short-term admission to a mental health unit. This information is general and not a substitute for medical advice.

Q: Who to contact if someone is having a mental breakdown?

If someone seems to be having a mental breakdown, start by considering safety. Call 911 or your local emergency number when there is immediate danger, such as suicidal actions, serious threats, or an inability to care for basic needs. For intense distress without clear imminent harm, you can contact a crisis hotline, suicide prevention line, or local mobile crisis team and describe what you are seeing. They can help you decide whether emergency services, an urgent mental health clinic, or other support is needed. When in doubt, reaching out is safer than trying to handle everything alone.

Q: What do you do for a mental breakdown?

If you feel like you are having a mental breakdown, first ask whether you are at risk of harming yourself or someone else. If the answer might be yes, call 911, 988, or a local crisis line right away. If you are physically safe, try gentle grounding strategies such as slow breathing, holding something cool, or noticing what you can see, hear, and feel around you. Then reach out to a trusted person or professional and say clearly that you need support. A breakdown is often a sign that your system is overwhelmed and you deserve more care, not a personal failure.

Q: How do you report someone who is having a mental breakdown?

When someone appears to be having a mental breakdown, the goal is to get them help rather than to get them in trouble. Call 911 if there is immediate danger from suicide attempts, serious threats, or uncontrolled aggression, and explain that this is a mental health emergency. If the situation is serious but not clearly life-threatening, you can call a crisis line or mobile crisis team, describe what is happening, and ask about options such as a welfare check or emergency psychiatric assessment. Whenever it is safe, talk with the person respectfully and invite them to be involved in decisions about getting support.

Q: What are the 12 signs of a nervous breakdown?

A nervous breakdown is not a formal diagnosis, but people use the term to describe a severe mental health crisis. Common warning signs can include intense anxiety or panic attacks, deep sadness or hopelessness, big changes in sleep or appetite, constant exhaustion, trouble functioning at work or school, neglecting basic self-care, withdrawing from others, frequent crying or anger, physical symptoms like chest pain or stomach issues without a clear medical cause, feeling detached or unreal, increasing use of alcohol or drugs to cope, and thoughts of death, self-harm, or suicide. If several of these are present, it is important to seek professional help promptly.

The Ultimate Guide to Mental Health Crisis and Distress Services in Calgary & Alberta

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, please call 9-1-1 right now.
This guide is for information and support. It does not replace emergency medical, mental-health, or police services.

At Compassionate Central, we meet a lot of people who say:

“I don’t know if this is really a crisis.”
“I don’t want to waste anyone’s time.”
“I don’t know which crisis line to call in Calgary or Alberta.”

You deserve clear, compassionate answers.

This Calgary Crisis Line Resource guide is here to help you:

Understand when to call a crisis line, 911, or a mental health helpline
Find 24/7 crisis support options by phone, text, and chat
Learn what to expect when you reach out
Discover youth, family, Indigenous, and domestic-violence supports across Alberta

All resources shared here come from trusted organizations like Distress Centre Calgary, Alberta Health Services, 211 Alberta, Kids Help Phone, and national mental-health helplines.

Mental Health Resources Calgary

1. Safety First: 911, 9-8-8 & Calgary Crisis Lines

When you’re overwhelmed, it can be hard to judge how serious things are. Here’s a simple, compassionate triage.

Call 911 if:

There is immediate danger to life or safety (yours or someone else’s)
There has been a suicide attempt, serious self-harm, or overdose
There is current violence, or a weapon present
Someone is too disoriented, confused, or intoxicated to stay safe

Emergency services on a Calgary crisis line can send an ambulance, police, or fire as needed.

Call or text 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline if:

You’re thinking about suicide
You’re worried someone else might be suicidal
You need urgent emotional support around suicide or intense distress

The 9-8-8 Calgary Suicide Crisis Helpline is available 24/7 across Canada by phone or text, offering non-judgmental crisis support and suicide prevention from trained responders.

9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline: https://988.ca/

Use a local crisis line if:

You’re in a mental health crisis
You feel overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, or emotionally unsafe
You’re dealing with relationship, family, financial, grief, or work stress
You want help figuring out next steps and community resources

Crisis lines in Calgary and Alberta provide free, confidential emotional support, information, referrals, and sometimes short-term crisis counselling.

You do not have to be on the edge of suicide to reach out. If you’re wondering, “Is this bad enough to call?”—it’s bad enough to call.

2. What Is a Crisis Line? (And What It Isn’t)

A crisis line is a phone, text, or online chat service where you can talk to trained volunteers or professionals when life feels too heavy.

Most Calgary and Alberta crisis lines offer:

24/7 helpline access (phone, sometimes text + chat)
Emotional support and active listening
Mental health crisis support for anxiety, depression, panic, trauma, grief
Safety planning when you’re at risk of harming yourself or feel unsafe at home
Information and referrals to local counselling, shelters, financial help, housing, and more

A mental health crisis line is not:

A replacement for 911 in life-threatening emergencies
Ongoing long-term therapy
A place where anyone will judge, shame, or lecture you

Think of crisis lines as your 24/7 “emotional first aid” and navigation support.

3. Distress Centre Calgary – 24 Hour Crisis Line for Calgary & Southern Alberta

Distress Centre Calgary 24/7 Crisis Line Phone Number

Phone / Text: 403-266-HELP (403-266-4357)
Online chat: Via the chat icon on their site

Distress Centre Calgary 24-Hour Crisis Support:
https://distresscentre.com/24-hour-crisis-support/

What they offer:

24/7 crisis line for anyone in Calgary & Southern Alberta
Emotional support for mental health, relationships, grief, money stress, work, parenting, loneliness, suicidal thoughts, and more
Mental help hotline phone numbers, text, and crisis chat options so you can choose what feels safest for you
Free crisis counselling (short-term, emergency counseling services by appointment)
https://distresscentre.com
211 navigation and referrals to housing, food, financial, legal, and social-service supports

Distress Centre emphasizes that you define what “crisis” means—they don’t. Anyone can call, day or night, for crisis intervention and emotional support.

4. ConnecTeen – Calgary Youth & Teen Crisis Helpline

If you’re a teen or young adult in Calgary, ConnecTeen is a dedicated youth crisis line and peer support service (run by Distress Centre Calgary).

Calgary Crisis Line Number: 403-264-TEEN (403-264-8336) – 24/7 mental health text line
Text: 587-333-2724 (peer support hours; adult responders overnight)
Chat: Through their website

ConnecTeen – Get Help Now:
https://calgaryconnecteen.com/get-help-now/

What ConnecTeen offers:

A 24-hour crisis phone line for youth (typically 12–24)
Peer support from trained youth volunteers during the day and evening, with professional crisis staff overnight
Support for anxiety, depression, bullying, identity questions, family conflict, school stress, relationship issues, suicidal thoughts, loneliness, and more
Phone, text, and online chat for teens who prefer not to talk out loud

ConnecTeen is ideal if you want to talk to someone closer to your age who “gets” youth issues, while still having access to professional crisis backup.

5. Help Line Alberta-Wide Mental Health Resources

If you’re anywhere in Alberta (including Calgary), these province-wide helplines are always available.

Alberta Mental Health Help Line

The Alberta Mental Health Help Line is a 24/7 mental health and stress hotline for anyone in the province.

Phone: 1-877-303-2642 (toll-free)
Support for depression, anxiety, psychosis, grief, stress, mood changes, family issues
Information about mental-health services, referrals, and what to expect from care

Info page (Alberta Health Services):
https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/findhealth/Service.aspx?id=6810&serviceAtFacilityID=1047134

Alberta Addiction Helpline

The Addiction Helpline is also 24/7, confidential, and toll-free.

Phone: 1-866-332-2322
For substance use, gambling, and other addiction concerns—whether you’re worried about yourself or someone else
Offers information, crisis support, and referral to local treatment and community supports

Info page (Alberta Health Services):
https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/findhealth/Service.aspx?id=1008399&serviceAtFacilityID=1047128

These provincial helplines can be especially helpful if you’re outside Calgary, in a rural area, or not sure what mental-health services exist near you.

6. 211 Alberta – “I Don’t Know What I Need, But I Need Help”

Sometimes the crisis is bigger than one conversation: housing, money, food, legal issues, caregiving, domestic violence, or navigating multiple agencies.

That’s where 211 comes in.

211 Alberta – Help Starts Here:
https://ab.211.ca/

Call: 2-1-1 (24/7, free, confidential)
Text: Text GETHELP or INFO to 211 (24/7)
Chat: Live chat via their website

211 Alberta connects you to:

Housing & shelter resources
Food banks & meal programs
Financial assistance, utilities support
Family and parenting supports
Domestic violence & abuse resources
Immigration, legal, and community programs

Distress Centre operates 211 Calgary and area, so the same commitment to free, confidential, 24/7 support carries through.

If you’re not sure whether to call a crisis line or a social-services helpline, 211 is a strong starting point.

7. Youth & Family Mental Health Crisis Supports in Calgary

In addition to ConnecTeen, Calgary has specialized supports for young people and families struggling with mental health, behaviour, or family conflict.

Eastside Community Mental Health Services (Wood’s Homes)

Eastside Community Mental Health Services offers immediate, no-cost mental health support for children, youth, and families in Calgary.

Phone: 403-299-9699
Text: 587-315-5000 (hours listed on their site)
Who it’s for: Youth and families in Calgary dealing with family conflict, parenting struggles, behavioural issues, mental-health crises, or needing quick access to counselling and support

Eastside Community Mental Health Services info:
https://www.woodshomes.ca/eastside-community-mental-health-services/

Wood’s Homes also operates a broader crisis hotline for children, youth, and families:

Wood’s Homes – Crisis Hotline & Services (via UCalgary Women’s Centre resource listing):
https://www.ucalgary.ca/student-services/womens-centre/resources/womens-resource-database/woods-homes

Crisis hotline: 403-299-9699 or 1-800-563-6106
Supports youth in crisis, family conflict, homelessness, and more

These services are especially helpful if your crisis involves parent–child conflict, youth behaviour, or safety at home.

8. National Youth & Indigenous Helplines (Available from Calgary & Alberta)

Kids Help Phone – Youth Across Canada

Kids Help Phone is Canada’s 24/7 e-mental-health service for youth, available anywhere in Alberta.

Call: 1-800-668-6868 (24/7)
Text: Text CONNECT to 686868
Chat: Live chat through their site

Kids Help Phone:
https://kidshelpphone.ca/

They provide:

Free, confidential mental-health support by phone, text, and chat
Support for anxiety, depression, identity, bullying, family conflict, trauma, suicidal thoughts, and more
Service in English, French, and many other languages through interpreters

Kids Help Phone is a powerful complement to local crisis lines—especially if you’re a young person who prefers anonymous, nation-wide support.

Hope for Wellness Helpline – Indigenous Peoples Across Canada

The Hope for Wellness Helpline offers 24/7 crisis intervention and emotional support to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples anywhere in Canada, including Alberta.

Call: 1-855-242-3310 (toll-free, 24/7)
Online chat: Via their website

Hope for Wellness Helpline:
https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/

If you’re an Indigenous person in Calgary or elsewhere in Alberta looking for culturally grounded mental-health crisis support, Hope for Wellness is a vital resource.

9. Family Violence, Abuse & Domestic-Violence Helplines

Crises involving domestic violence, sexual abuse, or family violence need specialized, trauma-informed support.

Family Violence Info Line (Alberta)

The Family Violence Info Line is available 24/7, toll-free across Alberta.

Call or text: 310-1818

Family Violence Info Line info:
https://www.alberta.ca/family-violence-find-supports

They provide crisis counselling, safety planning, information, and referrals related to domestic and family violence. An online chat option is also available on the website.

Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter – 24-Hour Family Violence Helpline

The Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter 24-Hour Family Violence Helpline offers confidential support to anyone affected by family violence (women, men, and children).

Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter – 24-Hour Family Violence Helpline:
https://www.calgarywomensshelter.com/shelter-programs/24-hour-family-violence-helpline

Services typically include:

Crisis counselling and emotional support
Safety planning
Information about emergency shelter and community resources

If you are experiencing emotional, physical, sexual, financial, or spiritual abuse, reaching out to a domestic-violence helpline can be a life-changing step.

10. How to Choose the Right Helpline (Without Overthinking It)

When you’re struggling, decision-fatigue is real. Here’s a simple guide:

“I’m scared someone might die or be seriously hurt.”
→ Call 911 immediately.

“I’m thinking about suicide, or someone else might be.”
→ Call or text 9-8-8 (https://988.ca/) or call Distress Centre Calgary at 403-266-4357 (https://distresscentre.com/24-hour-crisis-support/).

“I’m overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, or in emotional pain.”
→ Call Distress Centre Calgary, the Alberta Mental Health Help Line, or 211 Alberta.

“I’m a teen, or I’m worried about a teen.”
→ Call ConnecTeen (https://calgaryconnecteen.com/get-help-now/) or Kids Help Phone (https://kidshelpphone.ca/).

“I’m Indigenous and want culturally safe support.”
→ Call Hope for Wellness Helpline (https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/).

“There’s domestic or family violence.”
→ Call the Family Violence Info Line (https://www.alberta.ca/family-violence-find-supports) or the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter helpline (https://www.calgarywomensshelter.com/shelter-programs/24-hour-family-violence-helpline).

“I’m not even sure what I need, I just know I need help.”
→ Call 211 Alberta (https://ab.211.ca/) for guidance and referrals.

You do not have to pick the “perfect” crisis service. If you accidentally call the “wrong” helpline, they will do their best to support you and redirect you.

11. What to Expect When You Call, Text, or Chat a Crisis Line

It’s normal to feel nervous, guilty, or unsure before calling a crisis line. Here’s what usually happens:

You connect with a trained responder
- This might be a volunteer, peer supporter, or mental-health professional, depending on the service.
They’ll ask simple questions to understand the situation
- “What’s been going on?”
- “Are you safe right now?”
- “Are you alone or with someone?”
They’ll listen—really listen
- Crisis lines focus on emotional support, validation, and safety planning, not judgment or lectures.
They may explore options with you
- Coping strategies for tonight or today
- Resources (counselling, shelters, legal, financial) through services like 211 or Distress Centre’s crisis counselling
If there’s immediate danger
- They may encourage you to call 911, or with your consent, connect emergency services if needed.

You’re always allowed to:

Call “just to talk”
Hang up if you need to (though they’ll want to help you stay safe)
Be honest about how bad things feel

12. After the Crisis: Ongoing Counselling & Support

Crisis lines are designed for right now. Many people also need follow-up support to heal, process trauma, and build coping skills.

Options can include:

Short-term crisis counselling through Distress Centre Calgary (https://distresscentre.com/)
Community mental-health clinics through Alberta Health Services
Low-cost and sliding-scale counselling in Calgary (like the services offered at Compassionate Central)
Peer support programs, domestic-violence support groups, grief groups, youth programs, or addiction recovery support

At Compassionate Central, we’re not a crisis line, and we don’t replace emergency services.

What we do offer is:

Ongoing therapy once you are safe enough for regular sessions, for issues such as depression & anxiety.
A trauma-informed, emotionally safe space to unpack what happened
Sliding-scale and affordable therapy options to reduce barriers to care
A collection of evidence based mental health blogs that help strengthen your recovery
Evidence based approaches, such as CBT, DBT, and IFS.

If you’ve used a crisis line and are now looking for longer-term support with Calgary Counselling and Therapy Services, we’re here to walk alongside you in the next part of your healing. If you have questions, you can reach us here.

13. Final Notes: Ethics, Safety & Staying Informed

Because this is a Your-Money-Your-Life (YMYL) topic that touches on life-and-death decisions and mental-health outcomes, we want to be extra clear:

This guide is based on official government, health-authority, and trusted nonprofit sources, current as of the time of writing.
Phone numbers, hours, and services can change—please always check the linked websites for the most up-to-date information.
This page is for information and support, not diagnosis, medical advice, or emergency response.
If you ever feel unsure, err on the side of reaching out—to a crisis hotline, 9-8-8, 211, or 911 in emergencies. You are not “bothering” anyone.

You Are Not Alone

Whether you’re facing a mental health crisis, navigating domestic violence, worried about a teen in distress, or supporting someone with suicidal thoughts, there are Calgary and Alberta crisis lines ready to answer—24/7, every day of the year.

And when you’re ready for ongoing, steady support, Compassionate Central is here to sit with you, gently, and help you find your way forward.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions or Concerns About
Mental Health Emergencies

What is the crisis line for?

A crisis line is there for the moments when life feels too heavy to manage on your own. You can call about suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, severe anxiety or depression, psychosis, grief, addiction, family violence, money stress, or when you’re worried about someone else. A trained responder offers confidential emotional support, helps you calm things down, checks for safety risks, and explores next steps—like 9-8-8, a local distress line, a mental health helpline, shelters, or counselling services. It isn’t long-term therapy or a substitute for 911 in life-threatening emergencies; it’s 24/7 “emotional first aid.”

Can you call an ambulance for mental health?

Yes. Mental health emergencies are real medical emergencies. If someone has attempted suicide, is making clear plans to die, has overdosed, is severely disoriented by psychosis or substances, or can’t care for basic needs (eating, drinking, staying safe), you can call 911 and request an ambulance for a mental health crisis. The dispatcher may also involve police or a mobile crisis team, depending on local protocols. Paramedics focus on physical safety and stabilization and can transport the person to an emergency department for urgent psychiatric assessment and medical care. If you’re unsure whether it’s “serious enough,” it’s safer to call.

What will the ER do for a mental breakdown?

In the ER, staff first check physical safety: vital signs, injuries, overdose risk. They treat “mental breakdown” as a mental health emergency or acute psychiatric crisis. A nurse and doctor rule out medical causes, then a mental-health clinician does an urgent psychiatric assessment. They ask about symptoms, stressors, substance use, and self-harm or suicide risk. You may receive calming medication, a quiet space, and crisis stabilization support. When you’re safer, the team decides with you: discharge home with follow-up, referral to an urgent outpatient clinic, or short-term admission to an inpatient mental health unit for further stabilization. The goal is always safety, stabilization, and compassionate next steps.

Can you call 911 for a mental health crisis?

Who to contact if someone is having a mental breakdown?

If someone seems to be having a mental breakdown, first decide if it’s an emergency. Call 911 or your local emergency number when there’s immediate danger: suicidal actions, violent behaviour, or inability to care for basic needs. For severe distress without imminent harm, contact a crisis hotline, suicide prevention line, or local mobile crisis team and describe what you’re seeing. They can guide you on next steps or dispatch support. You can also reach a family doctor, community mental health clinic, or urgent behavioral health centre for rapid assessment. When unsure, calling a crisis service is safer than staying silent.

What do you do for a mental breakdown?

When you feel like you’re having a mental breakdown, start with safety. Ask yourself honestly if you might harm yourself or someone else; if yes or unsure, call 911, 988, or your local crisis line immediately. Then focus on grounding your body: slow breathing, splashing cool water, or naming things you see, hear, and feel. Reach out to someone safe—a friend, family member, therapist, or helpline—and say clearly that you’re struggling. As soon as possible, arrange professional support through counselling, your doctor, or an urgent mental health clinic. A breakdown isn’t weakness; it’s a signal you deserve more support and care.

How do you report someone who is having a mental breakdown?

Instead of “reporting” someone having a mental breakdown, think in terms of getting help. If there’s immediate danger—suicide attempt, serious threats, uncontrolled aggression, or extreme confusion—call 911 and explain you’re requesting a mental health or crisis intervention response. If risk is serious but not life-threatening, call a local crisis hotline, mobile crisis team, or psychiatric triage line and describe the situation. They can advise you about welfare checks, emergency psychiatric assessment, or community outreach support. Whenever it’s safe, talk with the person, express concern, and invite them to call a helpline together rather than acting secretly behind their back alone.

What are the 12 signs of a nervous breakdown?

“Nervous breakdown” isn’t a diagnosis, but people use it to describe severe psychological distress that makes daily life feel impossible. Common warning signs include: intense anxiety or panic attacks; persistent hopelessness or tearfulness; big changes in sleep or appetite; constant exhaustion; difficulty functioning at work or school; neglecting basic self-care; withdrawing from friends; irritability or sudden anger; physical symptoms like chest pain or stomach issues without clear cause; feeling detached or unreal; using more alcohol or drugs to cope; and thoughts of death, self-harm, or suicide. If several signs appear together, it’s time to seek professional help very quickly from a trusted clinician.

When is a mental breakdown an emergency?

A mental breakdown becomes an emergency when safety or basic functioning is seriously at risk. Treat it as a psychiatric emergency if someone has attempted suicide, is making specific plans, talks about harming others, or seems wildly out of touch with reality. It’s also urgent when they can’t eat, drink, sleep, or care for themselves, or have overdosed or mixed substances dangerously. In those situations, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately. If you’re unsure, contact a crisis hotline, nurse advice line, or local emergency mental health team and describe what you’re seeing in detail calmly and clearly.

Disclaimer:

The information on this mental health crisis line Calgary resource guide is offered by Compassionate Central for general educational and supportive purposes only. It is not medical, psychological, or legal advice and does not replace assessment, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified professional who knows your individual situation.

Viewing this site, reading our content, or contacting us through forms, email, or social media does not create a therapist–client or doctor–patient relationship. Please do not use this site for emergency or urgent care needs. If you are in crisis or at risk of harm, call 911 (or your local emergency number), go to the nearest emergency department, or contact a local crisis line.

While we aim to keep information accurate and current, we cannot guarantee completeness, timeliness, or applicability to your circumstances. You use this information at your own risk, and Compassionate Central and its clinicians are not liable for any loss, harm, or consequences arising from the use or non-use of material on this site. Any external links are provided for convenience only; they do not constitute an endorsement of those organizations, their services, or their views.