Mental Health Crisis Resources

Resources created with DSAMH

These resources were created by the University of Delaware Center for Disabilities Studies with funding from the Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH), Department of Health and Social Services. DSAMH’s mission is to promote health and recovery by ensuring that Delawareans have access to quality prevention and treatment for mental health, substance use, and gambling conditions.

These resources are available through the Delaware Network for Excellence in Autism. The DNEA provides training, technical assistance, and information dissemination that benefits individuals with autism, their families, and the professionals who serve them.

 

Upcoming Trainings

The DNEA will be holding the below trainings in 2025. More information can be viewed on our calendar or by clicking the buttons below.

Understanding Mental Health Challenges Among People with IDD

January 14, 2025 | 9 – 11 am

For professionals who work with people with IDD and want to learn more about the intersection of IDD and mental health.

This course has been approved for 2 NASW-DE credits.

Crisis Intervention: Supporting a Person with IDD in Crisis

February 4, 2025 | 9 – 11am

For professionals who work with people with IDD and want to learn more about mental health crisis intervention for people with IDD.

This course has been approved for 2 NASW-DE credits.

 

Health Care Access Resource Tutorials

These videos are intended to introduce and describe the resources related to health care access. They were created with the intent to benefit individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities specific to mental health.

My Crisis Care Plan tutorial

This video introduces the My Crisis Care Plan and gives plain language tips and instructions for filling out the plan.

Who to Call in a Crisis (Youth)

This video provides a step-by-step guide to using the Who to Call in a Crisis youth mental health crisis services in Delaware decision tree.

Who to Call in a Crisis (Adult)

This video provides a step-by-step guide to using the Who to Call in a Crisis adult mental health crisis services in Delaware decision tree.

 

Health Care Access Resources

These resources are related to health care access and were created with the intent to benefit individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities specific to mental health.

A Guide to Completing the My Crisis Care Plan

This guide includes talking points you can use as you work through the sections of the My Crisis Care Plan.

Download the Resource

My Crisis Care Plan

The My Crisis Care Plan is a communication tool that includes open-ended sections to help a person share information and supports that are most critical to know during and after a mental health crisis.

Download the Resource

Who to Call in a Crisis – Youth Decision Tree

This decision tree walks through a set of questions to help you figure out the next right step when seeking youth mental health crisis services and supports in Delaware.

Download the Resource

Who to Call in a Crisis – Adult Decision Tree

This decision tree walks through a set of questions to help you figure out the next right step when seeking adult mental health crisis services and supports in Delaware.

Download the Resource

 

Resource Guides

These resources were created with the intent to benefit individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities specific to mental health.

Communication Board


Crisis Communication Board for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

This crisis communication board can be used to communicate with someone with an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD) during a mental health crisis.

Download the Resource Guide

Visual Supports


Visual Support: First-Then

Create your own First-Then visual support.

Download the Resource Guide

Visual Support: Picture Word Cards

Use these picture cards for your own visual schedule.

Download the Resource Guide

Visual Support: Blank Picture Word Cards

Create your own Picture Word cards for your visual schedule.

Download the Resource Guide

Visual Support: Picture Word Cards: Crisis and Mental Health

Use these picture cards for your own visual schedule.

Download the Resource Guide

Visual Support: Breathing Cue Card

A breathing cue card can be used to help a person learn and practice deep breathing as a calming strategy.

Download the Resource Guide

Visual Support: Break Card

A break card can be used to help a person learn and practice requesting a break.

Download the Resource Guide

Visual Support: “Oops” Picture Word Card

An “Oops” picture word card is used in visual schedules to indicate a change or disruption in the expected sequence of events.

Download the Resource Guide

Visual Support: Feelings Thermometer

A feelings thermometer can be used to help a person become aware of their emotions so they can learn how to manage them more effectively.

Download the Resource Guide

Social Narratives


Writing Social Narratives for Mental Health and Crisis

This guide explains what information you need to create a mental health social narrative.

Download the Resource Guide

Delaware Resources


Delaware Information and Services for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

This guide lists resources that provide information and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in the state of Delaware.

Download the Resource Guide

If you are interested in these resource guides, click the link below to order free copies!