Observe first
Notice changes and immediate safety concerns without trying to diagnose what they mean.
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Remember the plan. Respond to the person.
Use this page before or after a supportive conversation to refresh the Mental Health First Aid action plan. ALGEE is a flexible guide—not a script, diagnosis, or substitute for emergency or clinical care.
When to use this resource
A grounded guide for real conversations.
Return to ALGEE when you notice a concerning change, someone discloses a challenge, or you want to approach a conversation with more care and less assumption.
Ask directly
Use clear, respectful language and make room for the person’s own experience.
Listen fully
Slow down, reduce distractions, and resist the urge to correct, compare, or fix.
Connect onward
Support choice and help identify appropriate professional, peer, or self-help resources.
Use ALGEE with flexibility
The actions do not always happen in a perfect sequence. Immediate safety comes first, listening may continue throughout the conversation, and the person should retain as much choice and dignity as the situation safely allows.
Urgent support: Call 911 for immediate or life-threatening danger. In the United States, call or text 988 for crisis support.
Keep the learning active.
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