Navigating Mental Health Crises: A Guide to Overdose, Self-Harm & Suicide RiskNavigating Mental Health Crises: A Guide to Overdose, Self-Harm & Suicide Risk
A Little Help For Our Friends
Dr Kibby McMahon explains how loved ones can respond to serious mental health crises, including overdose, self-harm, suicide risk and dangerous alcohol withdrawal. The conversation outlines what happens in psychiatric emergency care and walks through a practical safety plan to help families prepare before a crisis hits.
51:02•29 Apr 2026
Step-by-Step Help for Mental Health Crises and Alcohol Withdrawal
Episode Overview
- Alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal can be life-threatening; heavy drinkers who stop suddenly and show tremors, agitation, confusion or sweating should be taken to A&E immediately.
- Ask directly about suicide when worried, including whether someone has specific plans, as clear, direct questions can help keep them safe rather than "putting ideas in their head."
- The psychiatric emergency room functions as a stabilisation and triage unit, assessing risk, providing medication, and linking people to inpatient, intensive outpatient or community care.
- A solid safety plan includes warning signs, ways to make the environment safer (like removing weapons or pills), coping strategies, supportive people, and clear steps for contacting professionals or emergency services.
- When calling for help, specifying that it is a mental health crisis and requesting responders trained in de-escalation can reduce the risk of a traumatising response.
“If you have a heavy drinker in your life and suddenly they stop cold turkey and you see any of these signs, you've got to take them to the hospital.”
What can we learn from those who have battled addiction? This episode of *A Little Help For Our Friends* zooms in on the people around the person in crisis – the partners, kids, siblings and friends who suddenly realise, "Oh no, I’m the first responder here." It’s aimed squarely at anyone supporting a loved one with serious mental health struggles, including alcohol and drug problems.
Dr Kibby McMahon draws on her time in psychiatric emergency rooms and her own family history to break down what actually happens when someone hits crisis point.
She talks through alcohol and benzo withdrawal, explaining why going cold turkey can be deadly and why, as she puts it, "if you have a heavy drinker in your life and suddenly they stop cold turkey and you see any of these signs, you've got to take them to the hospital." Her story of watching her mum detox and nearly die brings home just how high the stakes can be – and how powerless loved ones might feel.
You’ll also get a clear picture of what the emergency room is for – "kind of like a holding station" where staff stabilise someone, assess risk, and decide whether they need inpatient care, intensive outpatient, or can safely go home. Kibby pulls back the curtain with real cases involving overdose, psychosis, vaping-related episodes, and severe self-harm risk, all while keeping things human and surprisingly relatable.
The heart of the episode is a practical step-by-step guide to safety planning: spotting warning signs, making the environment safer, using coping strategies, drafting in other people, contacting providers, and knowing when to call 988, go to A&E, or ring 999/911. It’s structured, calm, and honest, with just enough humour to keep such a heavy topic bearable.
If you’ve ever lain awake worrying what you’d do if your loved one said, "I’m going to kill myself," this conversation might help you build a plan before that moment comes. What’s one step you could write down today to make everyone a bit safer tomorrow?
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