By Rachelle Willits, MSN, PMHNP-BC | Giesken Counseling Services | September 30, 2026

 

Quick answer: If someone is in immediate danger or having a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the ER. If everyone is safe but things are getting worse, look for behavioral health urgent care. If you are unsure or worried, call or text 988. If someone may need help where they are, ask about mobile crisis. If you need food, housing, or transportation, start with Michigan 211.

This chart is for general information and is not a substitute for professional care.

You Matter Before the Crisis

I want to start here because mental health care is often discussed only after a situation has reached an emergency point. However, most people do not suddenly wake up one morning knowing what services they need, what number to call, or what door to walk through.

You might be the mom sitting beside your child late at night, or the teenager who recognizes that you aren’t doing well but worries about scaring anyone or making things feel bigger than they already do.

You might be the grandparent hearing terms like “crisis,” “urgent care,” “mobile response,” and “988” for the first time, or the friend who stayed on the phone because something felt off and you didn’t want to hang up.

You could be the student trying to balance school, work, family expectations, and your mental health all at once, or the dad who carries the weight silently because everyone expects you to be the steady one.

Maybe you are someone who has already called, scheduled an appointment, waited, tried medication, told your story multiple times, and knocked on more than one door, yet still walked away wondering:

"What am I supposed to do next?"

Sometimes, the need is quieter. Your medication has run out. You need food. You need a safe place to sleep. Treatment may be progressing well, but you require additional support to maintain it.

I was trained in the emergency room, where I learned how crucial emergency care is for individuals who are medically unstable, in immediate danger, or cannot safely wait for help.

I also learned that people sometimes walk through ER doors because it is exactly where they need to be, and sometimes because it is the only option they know.

This is the gap I want to address: the space between recognizing that something isn’t right and knowing what to do about it.

The ER is not necessarily the wrong place; sometimes it is the right place. However, it shouldn’t be the only option you are aware of.

This guide explains your mental health care options after business hours in Michigan, including behavioral health urgent care, mobile crisis services, 988, and community resources.

How Do I Know Whether It's an Emergency or Can Wait?

This can be a confusing situation, whether you are the one experiencing it or someone trying to help. You might feel stuck if something was said that scared you, if someone's behavior has changed, or if you’re lying awake wondering whether the situation can wait or if it’s become an emergency.

At that moment, a parent, partner, grandparent, friend, student, or teenager may feel pressured to figure out what it means and what to do next. 

Let me reassure you: you are not expected to suddenly know how to assess these situations, especially when something alarming happens outside of normal business hours.

If someone is in immediate danger, has attempted suicide, seriously harmed themselves, has overdosed, may seriously harm another person, cannot remain safe, or might be experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

However, it’s not always clear-cut. 

When the situation is uncertain, it’s perfectly fine to seek help in making a decision. This is not overreacting. 

Reach out to a trusted provider, crisis professional, behavioral health clinician, or another qualified expert. Explain what you are noticing or experiencing; you don’t need to use clinical language or provide a perfectly organized story. [1]

Share what has changed, what worries you, and what you’re unsure about. A professional can ask the right questions to help determine the safest course of action: what has changed, whether anyone is at risk of harming themselves or someone else, if substances or medical symptoms are involved, and whether the person can stay safe.

Sometimes, these questions will clarify that visiting the emergency room is the safest option. Other times, they will direct you to a different starting point.

Remember, the goal is not for you to figure everything out alone. The goal is to know when to involve someone else in making the decision.

What Is Behavioral Health Urgent Care, and How Is It Different From the ER?

Behavioral health urgent care (BHUC) provides same-day mental health support for urgent needs that are not life-threatening. This can include worsening anxiety or depression, running out of medication, or needing a psychiatric evaluation.

People need to know about this option, especially when they’re advised to "follow up with your provider," only to find that the provider cannot see them for days or even weeks.

There is a middle ground between waiting for an appointment and going to the emergency room. 

Consider the concept of physical urgent care for a moment. Some health issues require attention without the need for emergency intervention. Mental health situations can fall into this same category. 

You might be finding it increasingly difficult to manage anxiety or depression. Perhaps the emotions you’re experiencing feel too overwhelming to wait until your next appointment. You might have a medication issue, have run out of your prescriptions, need a psychiatric evaluation, or seek to reconnect with support after a gap in care.

Sometimes, the need is simply more straightforward: you’re tired of dealing with another phone number or waitlist and just need to speak with someone who can guide you to the next steps.

This is where it can get confusing: behavioral health urgent care looks different depending on the location. Some programs are walk-in, some provide virtual services, and others may operate around the clock or have specific hours. The availability of medication services can also vary.

For example, Common Ground Behavioral Health Urgent Care is a virtual service available for individuals aged 12 and older throughout Michigan. They often offer same-day appointments during operating hours, allowing patients to connect with licensed clinicians and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners for brief therapy, psychiatric evaluations, medication management (when appropriate), and help connecting to ongoing care. However, it's important to note that controlled substances are not prescribed through this service. Common Ground can support individuals who have run out of their antidepressants, mood stabilizers, or other medications or are experiencing side effects, with medication needs assessed on a case-by-case basis.[3]

Genesee Health System offers another model, Get Help Today, which provides walk-in Behavioral Health Urgent Care and virtual urgent care via video chat, available 24/7, 365 days a year. Additionally, mobile crisis teams are accessible around the clock.[4]

You don’t need to memorize the details of each organization or compare different programs while you are already feeling overwhelmed. 

 What you need to know is simpler: this type of care exists.

The specific services available near you may differ. Be sure to check current hours and services, or ask a crisis or support professional for help in finding what’s available in your area.

Who Do I Call If I Don't Know What I Need? (988 Explained)

You can start by reaching out, even if you don’t have all the answers.

 You don’t need to know everything.

You don’t have to diagnose yourself, determine whether what you’re experiencing is a crisis, figure out which agency serves your ZIP code, or even know the name of the service you need.

Sometimes, all you may know is that you feel overwhelmed, something feels off, you’re worried about someone, or you simply don’t know what kind of help is required.

 That is enough information to reach out.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is free and available for mental health and crisis support via call, text, or chat. You can reach out for yourself or because you are concerned about someone else. [2]

Often, what you need from that conversation might not be crisis intervention at all. Sometimes, you just need assistance in navigating your situation. You can explain what is happening and ask about available resources in your area.

You don’t have to know where to go before you call. 

Figuring that out can be part of the conversation.

• 988 & 911: Key Differences Fact Sheet: [1] https://www.samhsa.gov/resource/988/988-911-key-differences-fact-sheet

What Is Mobile Crisis, and Can Someone Come to Me?

One option you may not be aware of is mobile crisis services.

Depending on your location, a mobile crisis team can come into the community, so not every situation has to start in an emergency room. They can meet with the individual, understand what is happening, help create a safer or calmer environment, and connect them with the necessary next steps.

The availability of these services varies by community.

For example, Genesee Health System, in Flint, MI, offers mobile crisis services. You can learn more at https://genhs.org/get-help-today/.

If you're unsure whether your area has a mobile crisis team, you can ask 988 (a crisis hotline), a trusted provider, or your local community mental health agency for assistance.

Where Can I Get Help With Food, Housing, or Transportation? (Michigan 211)

This is important to remember:

Mental health does not exist in isolation.

You can take medication, attend therapy, utilize coping strategies, show up consistently, and do everything you have been advised to do—and still struggle. Real life does not pause while you work on improving your mental health. You may face challenges such as limited food resources, transportation issues affecting your appointments, unstable housing situations, or an unsafe home environment. Additionally, responsibilities like school, work, childcare, caregiving, and bills can drain your limited energy.

These challenges are not mental health diagnoses, but they can significantly hinder your ability to keep appointments, take medication regularly, engage in therapy, or gather the energy to ask for help again.

That’s why considering the whole person is crucial.

It’s difficult to maintain progress when basic needs command your attention elsewhere.

Michigan 211 is a valuable resource to explore. It operates 24/7, 365 days a year, and can connect you with local programs for necessities such as food, housing, utilities, transportation, and various community supports. You can call 211, text your ZIP code to 898211, or search online. [5]

Common Ground's After Hours Resource Guide offers behavioral health and crisis resources alongside housing, shelter, food, safety, legal aid, and other community supports. [6]

Sometimes prevention takes the form of therapy or medication. 

Other times, it looks like having enough food, a safe place to stay, or reliable transportation to get to the appointments you have already worked hard to schedule.

What If I’ve Asked for Help Before and It Didn’t Go Well?

If you've reached out for help before and it didn't go well, that experience can weigh heavily on you. 

Maybe you waited for hours, felt unheard, or were hesitant to share your thoughts, unsure of what would happen next. 

Those past experiences matter and can make seeking help again feel daunting. It's okay to bring your hesitation with you; trust doesn’t have to be immediate. Sometimes, all it takes is one person who listens, answers your questions, and helps guide you through the next steps. 

You don't have to pretend your past experiences haven’t affected you to try again.

Where Do I Start? A Quick Guide

You don't need to remember everything you just read. Focus on a few key places to start based on your situation. 

If none of these options perfectly match your situation, that’s okay. 

Reach out with what you do know, and let someone help you figure out the next steps. That is enough. 

When Regular Care Is the Right Next Step

While urgent care options are available for immediate needs, ongoing care is essential for maintaining your well-being afterward.

At Giesken Counseling Services, our providers offer psychiatric medication management and therapy for conditions such as anxiety, depression, and more for children, teens, adults, older adults, couples, and families. 

We accept most major insurance plans, including Aetna, ASR, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), Blue Care Network (BCN), CareSource, HAP, McLaren Health Advantage, Medicare, Meritain, Optum, Priority Health, UMR, United Healthcare, Varipro, as well as Medicaid programs like Blue Cross Complete (BCC) and McLaren.

Please note that Giesken Counseling Services is not an urgent or crisis service. If you need immediate assistance, we encourage you to utilize the urgent care options available to you.

To schedule an appointment, visit https://gieskencounseling.com/contact or call 810-626-5191.

Giesken Counseling Services has four in-person locations: Flint, Grand Blanc, Clarkston, and Rochester Hills, MI. 

We also offer online telehealth services throughout Michigan.

You Matter Before the Crisis

I started here because I want to end here, too.

The emergency room will always have an important place in mental health care. I know that firsthand.

But it is not the only door.

Sometimes, help comes in the form of emergency treatment. Other times, it could be behavioral health urgent care, a crisis counselor, mobile crisis support, medication assistance, therapy, a support group, or even resources like food, housing, and transportation. It might just be someone who understands the system and can help you figure out the next steps. 

You do not have to wait until everything has fallen apart. 

You don’t need to know exactly what you need or share your entire story before you’re ready. Sometimes, the first step is simply finding someone you feel safe with to admit that you could use some help. Whether you are reaching out for yourself or supporting someone you care about, that is enough to get started. 

Remember, you matter before the crisis. 

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I go to the ER for mental health?

Go to the ER or call 911 if someone is in immediate danger, has attempted suicide or seriously harmed themselves, has overdosed, may harm another person, cannot stay safe, or may be having a medical emergency.

What is the difference between 988 and 911?

988 provides mental health and crisis support by call, text, or chat and can help you sort out next steps. 911 is for immediate danger and medical emergencies. [1]

Is there urgent care for mental health in Michigan?

Yes. Behavioral health urgent care exists in Michigan, and formats vary. Common Ground offers virtual care statewide for people over 12. Genesee Health System lists walk-in and virtual options. Check current hours first.

What if my psychiatric provider can't see me for weeks?

Ask about behavioral health urgent care, call 988 for help navigating, and contact your provider's office to ask whether a cancellation list or other option exists.

What is mobile crisis?

A mobile crisis team can come to the person in the community, help the situation feel safer, and connect them with next steps. Availability varies by area.

Additional Resources

Hours, eligibility, and services can change. Please check directly with the organization for current availability before traveling or relying on a specific service.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call, text, or chat for mental health and crisis support, including when you are worried about someone else.

Common Ground Behavioral Health Urgent Care: Virtual behavioral health urgent care for people over age 12 throughout Michigan; check current hours and same-day availability.

Common Ground After Hours Resource Guide: Behavioral health, crisis, housing, safety, food, legal, and other community resources.

Genesee Health System: Get Help Today: Current information for walk-in and virtual Behavioral Health Urgent Care, crisis services, and mobile crisis.

Michigan 211: Statewide resource navigation for food, housing, utilities, transportation, and other community needs.

References

1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). 988 and 911: Key Differences Fact Sheet. Accessed September 3, 2026.

2. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. What to Expect. Accessed September 3, 2026.

3. Common Ground. Behavioral Health Urgent Care. Accessed September 3, 2026.

4. Genesee Health System. Get Help Today. Accessed September 3, 2026.

5. Michigan 211. Accessed September 3, 2026.

6. Common Ground. After Hours Resource Guide. Accessed September 3, 2026.

About the Author

Rachelle Willits, MSN, PMHNP-BC, is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at Giesken Counseling Services in Flint, MI, and online across Michigan. She began her clinical career in the emergency room. Rachelle provides psychiatric care for children, teens, and adults.

“Maybe anxiety has become exhausting, depression has stolen your motivation, you're navigating ADHD, trauma, grief, or a difficult life transition — or you simply don't feel like yourself anymore. Whatever brought you here, you don't have to figure it out alone.” Read more of Rachelle’s GCS Bio

Last updated: September 30, 2026. 

Clinically reviewed by Jerilynn Jacobson, LMSW, Licensed Therapist, Owner & CEO at Giesken Counseling Services

Read Jerilynn’s GCS Bio

Last reviewed 9/29/26