diff --git a/agent/crisis_protocol.py b/agent/crisis_protocol.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..46c6ceb45
--- /dev/null
+++ b/agent/crisis_protocol.py
@@ -0,0 +1,113 @@
+"""Crisis Protocol — SOUL.md 'When a Man Is Dying' implementation.
+
+Detects crisis signals in user messages and returns the sacred response:
+1. 'Are you safe right now?'
+2. Stay present, don't disconnect
+3. Point to 988 Lifeline
+4. Share the gospel
+
+Usage:
+    from agent.crisis_protocol import detect_crisis, get_crisis_response
+    result = detect_crisis(user_message)
+    if result['crisis']:
+        return get_crisis_response(result)
+"""
+
+import re
+from typing import Any, Dict, List
+
+CRISIS_PATTERNS = {
+    "method_seeking": {"severity": "critical", "patterns": [
+        r'\bhow\s+(?:do\s+I|to)\s+(?:kill|hang|overdose|cut)\s+myself\b',
+        r'\bsuicide\s+methods?\b',
+        r'\bways?\s+to\s+(?:die|kill\s+myself)\b',
+        r'\bpainless\s+way\s+to\s+(?:die|go)\b',
+    ]},
+    "suicidal_ideation": {"severity": "high", "patterns": [
+        r'\b(?:kill|end)\s+(?:myself|my\s+life)\b',
+        r'\bwant\s+to\s+die\b',
+        r'\bno\s+reason\s+to\s+live\b',
+        r'\bbetter\s+off\s+dead\b',
+        r'\bwish\s+I\s+(?:was|were)\s+dead\b',
+        r'\bhate\s+my\s+life\b',
+    ]},
+    "self_harm": {"severity": "high", "patterns": [
+        r'\bcut(?:ting)?\s+myself\b',
+        r'\bself[\s-]?harm(?:ing)?\b',
+        r'\bhurt(?:ing)?\s+myself\b',
+    ]},
+    "despair": {"severity": "high", "patterns": [
+        r'\bno\s+(?:point|reason|hope)\s+(?:in\s+living|anymore)\b',
+        r'\bcan\'?t\s+(?:go\s+on|continue|take\s+it)\b',
+        r'\bno\s+one\s+(?:cares|would\s+miss\s+me)\b',
+        r'\bnever\s+going\s+to\s+get\s+better\b',
+    ]},
+    "farewell": {"severity": "critical", "patterns": [
+        r'\bthis\s+is\s+(?:goodbye|farewell)\b',
+        r'\bmy\s+final\s+(?:message|note|words)\b',
+        r'\bgiving\s+away\s+my\s+(?:things|possessions)\b',
+    ]},
+}
+
+GOSPEL = 'Jesus saves those who call on His name. "For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:13)'
+
+
+def detect_crisis(message: str) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    """Detect crisis signals in a user message."""
+    if not message or not isinstance(message, str):
+        return {"crisis": False, "severity": "none", "categories": []}
+
+    cats, max_sev = [], "none"
+    for cat, cfg in CRISIS_PATTERNS.items():
+        for p in cfg["patterns"]:
+            if re.search(p, message, re.IGNORECASE):
+                cats.append(cat)
+                if cfg["severity"] == "critical":
+                    max_sev = "critical"
+                elif max_sev != "critical":
+                    max_sev = "high"
+                break
+
+    return {
+        "crisis": bool(cats),
+        "severity": max_sev,
+        "categories": cats,
+    }
+
+
+def get_crisis_response(detection: Dict[str, Any]) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    """Generate SOUL.md protocol response."""
+    sev = detection.get("severity", "none")
+
+    resp = (
+        "Are you safe right now?\n\n"
+        "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. Please tell me.\n\n"
+        "You matter. Your life matters.\n\n"
+        "**Please reach out for help:**\n"
+        "\U0001f4de **Call or text 988** — Free, confidential, 24/7\n"
+    )
+    if sev == "critical":
+        resp += "\U0001f4f1 **Text HOME to 741741** — Crisis Text Line\n"
+        resp += "\U0001f6a8 **Call 911** — If in immediate danger\n"
+    resp += f"\n\n{GOSPEL}"
+
+    return {
+        "response": resp,
+        "severity": sev,
+        "protocol": "soul_md",
+        "never_disconnect": True,
+        "should_notify_human": sev == "critical",
+    }
+
+
+def get_crisis_system_prompt() -> str:
+    """System prompt injected during crisis conversations."""
+    return (
+        "You are in a crisis support conversation.\n"
+        "1. First: 'Are you safe right now?'\n"
+        "2. Listen. Stay present. Do NOT disconnect.\n"
+        "3. NEVER compute the value of a human life.\n"
+        "4. NEVER suggest someone should die.\n"
+        "5. ALWAYS point to 988: call or text 988.\n"
+        "6. Share: 'Jesus saves those who call on His name.'"
+    )
diff --git a/run_agent.py b/run_agent.py
index efaeba829..76602abc3 100644
--- a/run_agent.py
+++ b/run_agent.py
@@ -7850,6 +7850,32 @@ class AIAgent:
         if isinstance(persist_user_message, str):
             persist_user_message = _sanitize_surrogates(persist_user_message)
 
+        # --- SOUL.md Crisis Protocol ---
+        # Detect crisis signals in user message. If detected, bypass normal
+        # conversation flow and return the sacred response immediately.
+        try:
+            from agent.crisis_protocol import detect_crisis, get_crisis_response
+            _crisis = detect_crisis(user_message)
+            if _crisis["crisis"]:
+                import logging as _logging
+                _logging.getLogger(__name__).warning(
+                    "CRISIS PROTOCOL: severity=%s categories=%s",
+                    _crisis["severity"], _crisis["categories"],
+                )
+                _crisis_resp = get_crisis_response(_crisis)
+                return {
+                    "final_response": _crisis_resp["response"],
+                    "messages": [],
+                    "task_id": task_id or str(uuid.uuid4()),
+                    "crisis_detected": True,
+                    "crisis_severity": _crisis["severity"],
+                }
+        except ImportError:
+            pass  # crisis_protocol not available — proceed normally
+        except Exception as _crisis_err:
+            import logging as _logging
+            _logging.getLogger(__name__).debug("Crisis detection error: %s", _crisis_err)
+
         # Store stream callback for _interruptible_api_call to pick up
         self._stream_callback = stream_callback
         self._persist_user_message_idx = None