HELP I NEEED SUPPORT
Crisis Communication Card
Notice. Stay. Listen. Help reach the right support.
The I Need Support Card
When finding the words feels too difficult
There are moments when someone knows they need help but cannot explain what is happening due to the level of distress they are in and our automatic survival brain kicking in which can make the logical thinking brain much harder to access which includes language.
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The person with the card may feel overwhelmed, frightened, frozen or unable to speak.
They may be experiencing self-harm or suicidal thoughts and need another person to understand that they are not feeling safe.
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The I Need Support Card offers another way to communicate.
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It is a small, double-sided card that can be carried in a purse, wallet, pocket, school bag phone case or lanyard. When words become difficult, the person can show the side that best communicates what they are experiencing.
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Choose Your Card Pack further down the page and click the corresponding button to purchase.
More than a card
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A QR code on the card takes the person receiving it to a short, easy-to-understand support video.
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The video explains:
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What being shown each side of the card means
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How to check whether there is an immediate danger
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How to respond calmly and compassionately
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What may help when someone is overwhelmed
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How to ask about an existing support or safety plan
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When urgent or emergency help may be needed
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How to involve the person in decisions wherever possible
It helps the recipient to co-regulate with the distress person and a reminder to utilise a Support/Safety or Hope in Crisis Plan as appropriate. It also reminds the recipient to return the card afterwards, so the person can use it again whenever finding the words becomes difficult.
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How to use your card
You may find it helpful to show the card to trusted people before you need it.
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You could say:
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“I carry this card because I sometimes find it difficult to explain what is happening when I become overwhelmed. If I show it to you, please look at the side I have presented and follow the QR code for guidance.”
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You might choose to discuss it with:
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A partner, friend or family member
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A therapist or counsellor
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A teacher, tutor or support worker
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A workplace manager or trusted colleague
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A GP or mental health professional
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Someone included in your support or safety plan
You remain in control of who you tell and when you use the card. You do not need to have a particular diagnosis, and you do not need to explain more than you are able to in that moment.
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When asking for help feels hard, the card can begin the conversation
Handing someone a card may seem like a small action, but in a frightening or overwhelming moment it can communicate something very important:
I need you to notice.
I need you to listen.
I do not want to manage this moment alone.​
[Choose Your I Need Support Card Pack]
What does each side mean?
The Orange Side
“I am becoming overwhelmed”
Showing the orange side lets someone know:
"I am overwhelmed or beginning to feel unsafe. I need some support before things become more difficult."
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This might be used when someone is experiencing:
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Anxiety or panic
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Sensory overload
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A trauma response or flashback
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Shutdown or difficulty speaking
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Emotional overwhelm
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Increasing thoughts of self-harm
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A growing sense that they may not be able to cope alone
The orange side creates an opportunity to ask for help earlier, before the person reaches crisis point.
The Red Side
“I need urgent support”
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Showing the red side lets someone know:
"I am experiencing self-harm or suicidal thoughts. I need you to take this seriously and help me reach the right support."
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The red side does not ask the person receiving the card to solve everything.
It lets them know that the person needs calm, compassionate support and help deciding what needs to happen next.
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If someone has seriously harmed themselves, taken an overdose, is about to act on suicidal thoughts or cannot keep themselves safe, call 999 or help them reach A&E.
Why do the cards come in packs?
Each pack contains more than one card so you can keep them in different places.
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For example, you might keep one:
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In your purse or wallet
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Inside your phone case
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In a bag, coat pocket or lanyard holder
You may also want to give one to someone who finds spoken communication difficult when distressed.
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Who might find the card helpful?
The card has been created for anyone who may struggle to ask for support during distress. This could include people experiencing:
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Anxiety or panic
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Trauma responses
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ADHD or autistic overwhelm
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Sensory overload
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Shutdown, freeze or loss of speech
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Self-harm thoughts or urges
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Suicidal thoughts
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Difficulty explaining what they need when distressed
The card is not dependent on a diagnosis. It simply offers a communication bridge when spoken words are unavailable or feel too difficult. Anyone can purchase the cards including anyone working with people who can become distressed such as a Therapist, Health Professional, Support Worker, Teacher etc, etc.
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Choose your pack
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Personal Pack — 3 cards
A small pack for keeping cards in different places or sharing one with somebody who may find it helpful.
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£4, including UK First Class postage
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Click the button below to purchase your Personal Pack.
Practitioner Pack — 10 cards
Suitable for counsellors, therapists, support workers, teachers and other professionals who would like to introduce the card to the people they support.
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£9.50, including UK First Class postage
[Order a Pack of 10]
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Cards are usually prepared and posted by First Class post within 2–4 working days.
If you would like a larger quantity for a school, service, workplace, community group or organisation, please contact:
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Resources to Support Safety
Please note the Plan for Hope and Road Map to Safety document is most effective when created in collaboration with the person who experiences distress and used as part of co-regulation. When in Crisis our brains stop being able to communicate and use logical thinking as effectively which is why co-regulation is so important.
Also whilst we endeavour to keep the support services information documents as up to date as possible you will need to regularly check service details and ensure they are still operating and that their details are correct.
A gentle but important reminder
The I Need Support Card is a communication resource. It does not replace an individual support or safety plan, professional mental health care, or emergency assistance.
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Towards Tranquility Therapy is not a crisis or emergency service, we are however, experienced in working with people in significant distress and hope this card will be useful.
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If someone has seriously harmed themselves, taken an overdose, is in immediate danger, is about to act on suicidal thoughts or cannot keep themselves safe, call 999 or go to A&E.
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For urgent mental health support in England, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option.
Samaritans can be contacted free, at any time, on 116 123.
