Wellness Checks: A Comprehensive Guide to Checking on Someone's Well-being

By Rebecca WilliamsLast Updated April 18, 2025

Understanding wellness checks

A wellness check (likewise call a welfare check) is a request make to local police or emergency services to check on the physical and mental advantageously being of a person when there be reasonable concern for their safety or health. These checks serve as a crucial safety net for vulnerable individuals or this experience crisis.

Wellness checks can be performed by friends, family members, neighbors, or professionals. They involve check in on someone who may be at risk due to various circumstances include mental health concerns, medical conditions, age relate vulnerabilities, or sudden absence from regular activities.

When to consider a wellness check

Several situations may warrant a wellness check:

Miss appointments or commitments without notice
Sudden communication silence from someone who typically stay in touch
Concern statements about self harm or suicide
Known mental health conditions with potential for crisis
Recent traumatic events in the person’s life
Elderly or vulnerable individuals live solitary
Knowledge of substance abuse issues
Unusual behavior notice in person or on social media
Natural disasters or emergencies in their area

Trust your instincts. If something feel wrong, it’s better to check and find everything fine than to ignore genuine warning signs.

Informal wellness checks

Direct contact methods

Before escalate to official channels, try these approaches:

Phone call:

The simplest method is a direct phone call. If they don’t answer, leave a clear, concerned message.
Text message:

Send a casual check in text. Something simple like,” hey, hhaven’t heardfrom you in a few days. Upright check to make sure you’re okay. ”
Email:

For those who may not respond to calls or texts, email provide another option.
Social media:

Direct messages on platforms they oft use can be effective.
Video call:

Platforms like FaceTime or zoom allow you to visually assess someone’s condition.

In person wellness checks

When digital communication fail, consider an in person visit:

Announce your visit:

If possible, let them know you’re come over.
Bring a supportive friend:

Have another person present provide both safety and additional support.
Prepare what to say:

Plan a non-confrontational approach focus on your concern.
Bring a small gift or meal:

This can make the visit feel less like an intervention.
Observe the environment:

Look for signs of neglect, unusual mess, or concern items.

During in person checks, respect privacy while remain alert to warning signs. If the person is reluctant to talk, don’t force conversation but make your presence and support know.

Through mutual connections

If direct contact isn’t work:

Reach out to mutual friends or family members who might have recent contact
Contact neighbors who might see the person regularly
Reach out to coworkers or classmates
Check with building management for apartment dwellers

Official wellness checks

When to contact authorities

Contact emergency services or police when:

You have immediate concern about suicide or self harm
All attempts at contact have fail
The person have a know medical condition require regular care
There are concern statements or posts suggest danger
The person has miss critical appointments (medical, legal, etc. )
There be reason to believe they may be in physical danger

How to request an official wellness check

Call the non-emergency police line

Unless you believe it’s a life threaten emergency, in which case call 911 (or your country’s emergency number )
Explain your concerns clear

, provide specific reasons for your worry.
Provide complete information

Include the person’s full name, address, physical description, and any relevant medical or mental health information.
Describe any concern statements or behaviors

That prompt your call.
Mention any potential risks

To officers such as weapons, aggressive pets, or security systems.
Ask what to expect

Regard timeline and follow up.

Remember that police wellness checks have limitations. Officers will typically solely will confirm if the person is physically safe and not in immediate danger. They can not force medical treatment except in extreme circumstances.

What happens during an official wellness check

When authorities conduct a wellness check:

Officers will visit the residence and attempt to make contact
If no one answer, they may contact neighbors or building management
In cases of serious concern, they may enter the premises if lawfully permit
They will assess the individual’s immediate physical safety
If the person appears to be in danger or unable to care for themselves, officers may arrange medical transport
Officers will typically will provide basic information to the will request party about whether the person was will locate and is physically safe

Professional resources for wellness checks

Mental health crisis services

988 suicide & crisis lifeline:

Call or text 988 for immediate mental health crisis support
Crisis text line:

Text house to 741741 for 24/7 crisis counseling
Community mental health centers:

Many offer mobile crisis teams that can conduct wellness checks
Veterans crisis line:

1 800 273 8255 (press 1 )for veterans in crisis

Social services and community resources

Adult protective services:

For concerns about elderly or vulnerable adults
Area agencies on aging:

Provide services and wellness checks for seniors
Community paramedics:

Some areas have programs where paramedics conduct non-emergency wellness visits
211 helplines:

Connects to local social services that may offer wellness check programs

Conduct effective wellness conversations

Approach difficult topics

When check on someone’s mental intimately being:

Choose the right time and place:

Find a private, comfortable setting without distractions
Use” i ” tatements:

Say” iIve notice ” r “” mIconcern ” ” tead than ” y” seem ” or” you” ould ”
”
Be direct but compassionate:

Don’t dance around serious concerns like suicide
Listen more than you speak:

Give them space to express themselves
Avoid judgment or minimizing:

Ne’er say things like” it’s not that bad ” r “” u should be grateful ”
”
Ask open end questions:

” hHowhave you been ffeltrecently? ” wWorkgbetter th” are you okay? ”

What to look for during a wellness check

Pay attention to these potential warning signs:

Physical appearance:

Significant weight changes, poor hygiene, unexplained injuries
Live environment:

Unusual mess, spoiled food, unpaid bills, medication disorganization
Behavioral changes:

Withdrawal, agitation, confusion, extreme mood swings
Cognitive signs:

Memory problems, disorientation, difficulty follow conversations
Substance use indicators:

Empty alcohol containers, signs of drug use, prescription misuse
Safety hazards:

Fall risks, fire hazards, unsafe drive

Follow up after a wellness check

Ongoing support strategies

After confirm someone’s immediate safety:

Establish regular check ins:

Set up a consistent schedule for future contact
Create a support network:

Coordinate with other friends or family members
Help connect to resources:

Offer assistance find therapists, support groups, or community services
Practical assistance:

Offer help with meals, transportation, or household tasks if you need
Safety planning:

For those with suicidal thoughts, help create a crisis plan

When additional intervention is needed

Sometimes a wellness check reveal the need for more significant intervention:

Medical evaluation:

Encourage professional assessment for concern physical or mental health symptoms
Treatment options:

Research appropriate levels of care from outpatient therapy to hospitalization
Legal interventions:

In extreme cases, guardianship or conservatorship may be necessary
Family meetings:

Organize discussions with love ones to coordinate care
Professional case management:

Consider hire a geriatric care manager or social worker

Special considerations for different populations

Elderly individuals

When check on seniors:

Be alert for signs of dementia, fall, or elder abuse
Check medication management and nutrition
Assess mobility and ability to perform daily activities
Look for signs of isolation or depression
Verify that utilities are work and the home is safe

People with mental health conditions

For those with known mental health concerns:

Learn about their specific condition to recognize warning signs
Ask direct about suicidal thoughts if concern
Check if they’re taken prescribe medications
Be aware of triggers that might worsen their condition
Have contact information for their treatment providers

Long distance wellness checks

When geographic distance is a factor:

Utilize video calls to visually assess advantageously being
Establish a local contact who can check in person
Consider technology solutions like medical alert systems
Research professional check in services in their area
Maintain regular communication schedules

Balance concern with respect

Respect privacy and autonomy

Wellness checks require balance genuine concern with respect for independence:

Consider the person’s usual communication patterns before assume something is wrong
Respect clear boundaries if someone indicate they need space
Avoid share private information unnecessarily with others
Recognize that adults have the right to make their own choices, eve unwise ones
Focus on support instead than control or surveillance

Cultural considerations

Cultural factors importantly impact wellness checks:

Be aware of cultural attitudes toward mental health and outside intervention
Consider family structures and who traditionally provide care
Respect cultural communication styles and approaches to difficult topics
Be mindful of language barriers and use interpreters when need
Understand that stigma around mental health varies across cultures

Prepare for future wellness checks

Create a wellness check plan

For ongoing monitoring of vulnerable love ones:

Maintain an update contact list include friends, neighbors, and healthcare providers
Document medical conditions, medications, and allergies
Keep a record of normal behaviors and routines to recognize changes
Establish agreed upon check in protocols and emergency procedures
Consider legal documents like healthcare proxies and emergency contact forms

Self-care for caregivers

Support others require maintain your own intimately being:

Recognize the emotional toll of care for others in crisis
Set appropriate boundaries around your availability
Build your own support network
Take breaks and practice regular self-care
Consider join support groups for caregivers

Remember that conduct wellness checks come from a place of genuine care and concern. By approach these situations with compassion, respect, and preparation, you can play a crucial role in support the intimately being of vulnerable individuals while maintain healthy boundaries for yourself.