Your safety matters
This page tells you what to do if you or someone you know is in a psychiatric crisis. Please read it and save these resources before you ever need them. Knowing where to turn in a crisis can make all the difference.
What is a psychiatric emergency?
A psychiatric emergency is any situation in which someone is in immediate danger of harming themselves or others, or in which mental health symptoms are so severe that they cannot safely wait for a scheduled appointment. When in doubt, seek emergency care.
Examples of psychiatric emergencies include:
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm, especially with a plan or intent
- An attempt or recent act of self-harm
- Thoughts of harming another person
- Severe confusion, disorientation, or loss of contact with reality
- A rapid and severe worsening of mental health symptoms
- Any situation in which you do not feel safe
If you are in crisis right now
If you or someone you know is in a psychiatric emergency, please take action immediately using one of the resources below. Do not wait for a callback from this office.
Call emergency services
Call 911 immediately if there is an imminent threat of harm to yourself or others, or if someone needs immediate medical attention. Emergency responders can provide on-site psychiatric crisis support.
Go to your nearest emergency room
Any hospital emergency room can provide a psychiatric emergency evaluation. You do not need a referral or appointment. See the local emergency rooms listed in the next section.
Emergency rooms near Elm Grove
The following hospital emergency departments serve the Elm Grove and greater Milwaukee area. Please verify contact information before traveling. In a life-threatening emergency, always call 911 first.
| Facility | Address | Phone | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Froedtert Hospital | 9200 W. Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee | (414) 805-3000 | Level I Trauma; psychiatric emergency services |
| Aurora West Allis Medical Center | 8901 W. Lincoln Ave, West Allis | (414) 328-6000 | 24-hour emergency department |
| Rogers Behavioral Health | 34700 Valley Rd, Oconomowoc | (800) 767-4411 | Psychiatric specialty; crisis intake available |
| Children's Wisconsin | 9000 W. Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee | (414) 266-2000 | Pediatric emergency & psychiatric evaluation |
| Aurora Sinai Medical Center | 945 N. 12th St, Milwaukee | (414) 219-2000 | 24-hour emergency department |
Addresses and phone numbers subject to change. Confirm before traveling.
Outside of business hours
Shanti Mental Health Center operates as an outpatient practice during scheduled business hours only. Outside of those hours, our phone is not monitored and we do not have a provider on call.
- Voicemails and portal messages left after hours will be returned on the next available business day.
- Prescription refill requests require a minimum of three to five business days and cannot be processed after hours.
- Non-urgent questions and concerns should be submitted through the OnPatient patient portal at onpatient.com.
- If you are unsure whether your situation requires emergency care, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
If you have concerns about managing a potential crisis between appointments, please bring this up with your provider. Safety planning — identifying warning signs, coping strategies, and steps to take if symptoms escalate — is a standard part of psychiatric care at Shanti Mental Health Center.
Supporting someone in crisis
If you are a family member, partner, or caregiver supporting someone who may be in a psychiatric crisis, here are some steps you can take:
- Stay calm and present. Your steadiness can help de-escalate a difficult moment. Listen without judgment.
- Remove access to means if safe to do so. Reducing access to medications, sharp objects, or firearms can lower immediate risk.
- Call 911 if there is immediate danger. If someone is actively threatening to harm themselves or others, call 911 immediately.
- Go to the nearest emergency room. You can accompany or transport someone to a hospital emergency department. Emergency staff are trained to assess psychiatric crises.
You do not need permission from your loved one's provider to call 911 or take someone to an emergency room. In a genuine emergency, act first.
Reaching us during office hours
For non-urgent matters during business hours, please contact us through the following channels.
Business hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
This page is for informational purposes. Resource information is subject to change; please verify before use. In a life-threatening emergency, always call 911 immediately.