Guideline to Help the Psychiatrically (“Mentally”) Ill/Substance Abusing/Emotionally Disturbed From NTSPP website Mental Health And Addiction Resources www.mhaar.org:
DEFINITE DANGER TO SELF/OTHERS ~ weapons, threats, out of control person
Move to safety & call 911
How to inform police: When calling the police in an emergency the safety of your family member/friend/parishioner/visitor is dependent on proper communication with the police. Be prepared to communicate the following information if known to the police.
Name
Age
Height and Weight
Clothing description
Diagnosis
Illegal drug use
Medications
Prior Violent behavior
Past psychosis
Details about past delusions or hallucinations
Triggers
Things that have helped in the past
We train police officers to recognize mental illness however the most beneficial thing you can do for your family member is to educate the police before their arrival to your house. The more information the officer has the safer he is. The safer the officer is the safer your family member is. The knowledge you give the officers will better prepare them to interact with your family member. Remember you are asking a stranger to come to your house/church to resolve a crisis. This stranger has no information regarding what is occurring unless you tell them. We know that the most dangerous time is when the officer first arrives. This can have a lot to do with him not knowing the total extent of what he is confronting. If he knows the family member fights with whoever touches him when they are psychotic, the officer then can make better plans about how to approach your family member. ~ Sr Cpl Herb Cotner, Dallas Police Dept.
URGENT EMOTIONAL CRISIS (NO danger, no threats, no weapons): 1.866.260.8000
Adapt Community Solutions Mobile Crisis & Hotline: Skilled team of counselors may assist by phone, come on site quickly, transport if appropriate.
NEED for public mental health services or information
Phone: ValueOptions NorthSTAR Customer Service: 1-888-800-6799 (toll free)
To enroll as new patient, person must call for self. For information, anyone may call.
Web: www.mhaar.org Mental Health And Addiction Resources Website
