Safety, Crisis & Emergency Guidance

This page provides clear, calm guidance for urgent situations related to Functional Neurological Disorder (FND).

Healing Horizons for FND is not a crisis or emergency service.
If you or someone with you is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.

Call emergency services right away if there is:

  • Immediate danger to a person’s safety
  • Trouble breathing, chest pain, or sudden severe medical distress
  • A medical emergency where symptoms are unclear, severe, or rapidly worsening
  • A first or unexplained seizure, a seizure involving serious injury or breathing difficulty, or an episode that is substantially different from the person’s usual pattern. If someone has diagnosed functional seizures and an established care or seizure-response plan, follow that plan unless there is another reason to suspect a medical emergency.
  • Sudden loss of consciousness that does not improve
  • A serious fall or injury that may require urgent medical attention

If you are unsure whether a situation is an emergency, it is always okay to choose safety and call 911.

For all ages

  • 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline
    Call 988 Text 988
    Available 24/7, in English and French
    Call or text 988 if you are thinking about suicide, experiencing emotional pain that feels hard to bear, or are unsure whether you need suicide crisis support. If your safety is at risk, call 911.

For children and youth

For adults

  • Crisis Text Support (Canada)
    Text 741741
    Available 24/7 in most provinces and territories. In Quebec, call 1-800-463-5060. In Nunavut, contact your local health centre. If the person is unconscious, not breathing, or having a seizure, call 911.

If there is concern about medication errors, accidental ingestion, or exposure to harmful substances:

This is especially important for children, older adults, and anyone managing multiple medications.

FND symptoms or episodes can look frightening, even when they are not medical emergencies.

Helpful steps often include:

  • Staying calm and using a soft, steady voice
  • Reducing noise, crowds, and bright lights
  • Creating physical space while staying nearby
  • Avoiding many questions during overwhelm
  • Offering simple grounding options (quiet room, dim lights, cool cloth)
  • Allowing time for recovery afterward

If symptoms are new, severe, significantly different from the person’s usual pattern, involve serious injury or breathing difficulty, or could be another medical emergency, call 911 or seek urgent medical help. For emotional crisis without immediate danger, use an appropriate crisis service.

Children and teens may become frightened or overwhelmed when symptoms appear suddenly.

Supportive responses may include:

  • Simple, reassuring language
  • Quickly reducing sensory input
  • Moving to a quiet, predictable space
  • Avoiding pressure to explain or talk
  • Contacting parents or caregivers if symptoms do not improve

If safety becomes a concern, contact emergency or crisis services.

Supporting someone during an episode can be emotionally and physically demanding.

Helpful reminders:

  • Your calm presence can help reduce distress
  • It is okay to ask another trusted adult for help
  • Take time to rest after the situation resolves
  • Caregivers may also use crisis lines if they feel overwhelmed or unsafe

You do not have to manage urgent situations on your own.

If symptoms change, intensify, or feel harder to manage than usual:

  • Seek medical advice
  • Use crisis supports if emotional distress becomes overwhelming
  • Ask for help sooner rather than later

Needing support is not a failure. It is a response to real challenges.

Many provinces and territories offer local mental health crisis lines through provincial health services.

Your family doctor, local emergency department, or provincial health authority can help direct you to supports available in your area.

Healing Horizons for FND support groups are calm community spaces, but they are not crisis services.

Do not use support groups:

  • During a medical emergency
  • When immediate mental health crisis support is needed
  • If someone is unsafe or in immediate danger

In these situations, use emergency or crisis services first.

Consider contacting a healthcare provider if:

  • Symptoms change significantly from a usual pattern
  • Episodes become more frequent or more severe
  • School, work, or home environments become unsafe without added support

Call 911 for sudden new weakness, facial drooping, speech difficulty, severe confusion, loss of consciousness, or other signs of a possible stroke or medical emergency. Do not assume these symptoms are caused by FND.

Final Guidance

You are not expected to handle urgent situations alone. In moments of crisis, safety comes first. When things settle, gentle pacing, rest, and appropriate support can help the next steps feel more manageable.

Crisis contact information last checked: September 2026.