How to Refer Someone in Crisis: A Practical Guide

Every chaplain and advocate eventually faces the moment: a person in front of you needs more help than you can give. What you do in the next five minutes decides whether they actually get that help. Here is the referral process taught in GIA's crisis lessons.

Step 1 — Check immediate safety

Before anything else, ask directly: Is anyone in danger right now? If someone may be harmed, call 911. If someone is thinking about suicide, call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) together with the person — do not just hand them the number and walk away. Asking about suicide directly does not plant the idea; it opens the door to help.

Step 2 — Match the situation to the right resource

• Immediate danger or medical emergency — 911.
• Suicidal thoughts or emotional crisis — call or text 988.
• Human trafficking — National Human Trafficking Hotline, 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733.
• Domestic violence — National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-7233.
• Local shelters, food, housing, counseling — dial 211 to reach community services.
• Veterans — Veterans Crisis Line: call 988 then press 1, or text 838255.

Step 3 — Make the referral warm

A warm referral means you stay involved until the connection is made. Offer to sit with the person while they call. Write the number down for them. If they agree, help them describe their situation. A cold referral — a number on a sticky note — is where most people fall through the cracks.

Step 4 — Follow up

Check back within a day or two. Ask whether they connected with the resource and whether it helped. If the first referral did not fit, try the next one. Persistence is advocacy.

Keep your directory on hand

In a real crisis you will not have time to search the internet. GIA students receive a printable Crisis Referral Directory organized by situation — keep a copy in your bag, your car, and your office, and add your local crisis centers to it.

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