Crisis Services
Due to construction, the Crisis Center Entrance will be temporarily moving on the Wausau Campus to Door 18, effective Monday, September, 11, 2023. Please watch for signage. Enter at Door 18 located at 1100 Lake View Drive between the Aquatic Therapy Facility and Outpatient Services through Parking Lot D. Please click here for map. The Crisis Center is OPEN 24/7 during construction.
You Don’t Have to Manage a Crisis Alone
A mental health emergency can come in any form and at any time. Where can you turn for support? Here. We’ll help assess the situation and ensure you receive the support, counseling, and resources you need.
Crisis Hotline 715.845.4326 or 800.799.0122. Learn more here.
North Central Health Care provides a 24/7 Crisis and Suicide Prevention Line staffed by resourceful, knowledgeable people. We also can deploy a Mobile Crisis Team that can come to where you are. Our Crisis Center specializes in assisting people with urgent mental health, developmental disability, or substance abuse needs.
Or dial 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Network. Please note: Calling 988 will not route directly to NCHC Crisis Services, but you will be helped by the National Suicide Prevention Network and answered by a regional center who may assist you.
For those with hearing or speech difficulties, please dial 711 to connect
with the WI Relay Service.
When you dial 711, a communications assistant will connect you with the
NCHC Crisis Hotline. Please provide the operator with the number
715.845.4326. English and Spanish translation is available through 711. For more information
about 711, please visit
WI Relay 711.
Learn more about our crisis services:
- Crisis Hotline
- Mobile Crisis
- Crisis Stabilization
- Youth Crisis
- Contact Directory
- Crisis Services FAQ
A Center for Crisis Care
Equipped with an in-house, short-term Crisis Stabilization Care, our services can provide temporary shelter and support to stabilize the conditions of acute mental and behavioral health symptoms. Our specialized Youth Crisis Services offer youth short-term respite and support, serving serves children of all ages.
North Central Health Care’s Inpatient Behavioral Health Hospitals serve people of all ages with severe psychiatric and detoxification needs in an inpatient setting. For individuals under the age of 13, appropriate placement and inpatient care services can be arranged through the Crisis Center as needed.
What is a Mental Health Emergency?
A mental health emergency is very different from a physical emergency, but it is just as important that the patient receives care as quickly as possible. It can be difficult to identify a mental health emergency in another person. You cannot know what is going on in their mind or how serious their trauma is. In many cases, it is up to the person themselves to reach out if they believe they are having a crisis. However, there are a few signs that someone is having a mental health crisis.
Some symptoms of a mental health crisis include:
- Sudden mood swings
- Panicked, non-stop talking
- Threatening behavior
- Refusal to speak to anyone
- Hallucinations or delusions
- Agitation and an inability to sit still
- Confusion and irrational thoughts
- Paranoia
- Talk of suicide
It can be hard to gauge whether or not some of these symptoms are an actual emergency. You will have to use your own judgment in many cases. If you are concerned, it can’t hurt to contact our crisis hotline and discuss the situation with a professional.
It is natural to be worried, but do not panic. Try talking with the person, let them know you just want to help. Remain calm and ask questions. Do not make accusatory statements and instead let them try and tell you what’s wrong. This will hopefully encourage them to talk about their problems and be more open to seeking help if they need it.