A compassionate lifeline for navigating life's darkest moments.

When life feels unmanageable and emotions spiral, you need more than reassurance - you need a toolkit that works when your mind and body are in turmoil. Millions of people experience a mental health crisis every year but often feel alone, overwhelmed and confused.

This book draws on years of frontline experience in mental health care, offering step-by-step support for anyone facing a mental health crisis, as well as their friends and family. Inside, you will find:
· Clear explanations of what a mental health crisis is, why it happens, and how to spot the warning signs before things escalate.
· Grounding techniques, safety planning and emotional coping skills rooted in cognitive behavioural therapies and mindfulness.
· Worksheets, checklists and exercises to help you chart your own path to stability.

From managing overwhelming feelings and frightening memories to rebuilding daily routines and reconnecting with your strengths, every page is designed to be usable even when concentration is low. Whether you're seeking practical strategies for crisis intervention or looking for ways to support a loved one, this is a no-nonsense guide to finding hope and taking the next step - no matter how small.

Overcoming self-help guides use clinically proven techniques to treat long-standing and disabling conditions, both psychological and physical. Many guides in the Overcoming series are recommended under the Reading Well scheme.

Series Editor: Emeritus Professor Peter Cooper

Dr Megan Wilkinson-Tough is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, UK and chartered by the British Psychological Society. She is a member of the BPS Division of Clinical Psychology, the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies and the International Society of Schema Therapy. Megan has over fifteen years of qualified experience working in the NHS, specialising in acute, severe and complex mental health needs. She is the Head of Psychology in a large nine-ward inpatient mental health service in the South-West of England and across her career has worked on twelve acute mental health wards treating people experiencing a mental health crisis. She won Leader of the Year 2024 in her Mental Health Trust Annual Awards.

Dr Laura Baxendale is a Principal Clinical Psychologist and is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, UK. Laura has worked in acute mental health services within the NHS for over fifteen years in various roles. Since qualifying in 2015, Laura has worked across six different inpatient wards. She is co-lead for a large inpatient mental health service in the South-West of England. Laura currently delivers training to staff teams on supporting individuals to make sense of their mental health crisis and has developed and delivers training on working in a trauma-informed way in an acute setting.