Interacting with Persons Who May Have Mental Health

Interacting with Persons Who May Have Mental Health Issues

Law Enforcement Liaisons M Our Mission Improve knowledge base and skills of officers dealing with mentally ill people in crisis G Our Goal Build bridges between mental health and law enforcement

Is It a Police Emergency? q 911 is your best friend! q Some of the information needed: u. Who you are u. Where you are u. Nature of the call u. Description of the party u. What the party is doing/saying/telling you u. Any weapons involved u. Anyone injured u. Call-back number

Is It a Police Emergency? (cont. ) q Always try to remain calm when providing information q Be a good witness q Your safety and the safety of others is paramount!

The Fact and Fiction of Mental Illness What Some Believe… The Fact is… They must be cared for; can’t make their own decisions They are capable and have a right to make their own decisions They are less intelligent No, it is the symptoms of mental illness They are resistant to treatment and difficult to engage No, the needs of the mentally ill are just more complex

The Fact and Fiction of Mental Illness What Some Believe… Mental illness is a lifelong disease with no cure People with mental illness are more prone to violent acts The Fact is… Recovery possible; they can and do lead productive lives Studies have shown only a weak association between mental illness and violence However there is an increased risk when alcohol or drug use is involved

Please Remember… If an individual is having a mental health crisis: q The person may be overwhelmed by thoughts, beliefs, sounds (voices) q A person’s delusions or hallucinations are real to them q A rational discussion may not take place

Communication: Your Most Effective Tool q 7% of communication is verbal q 93% of communication is not communicated by spoken words When communicating always keep this in mind: Sometimes is is not about the words but how you say the words… § Your posture, your mannerisms § The words themselves

If You Can Slow the Event Down… Time can be your friend. It may: �Help reduce stress and anxiety �Increase rationality �Decrease emotions �Person may “surrender” �Allow you to gain more information to better enable responding law enforcement and EMS personnel to do their job

Regarding Your Interactions Attempt to get the individual talking so that you can fully understand why they are angry Think about using verbal pacing techniques… Sensory: “I sense you are angry” Visual: “I see that you need help” Auditory: “I hear what you are saying”

During Your Interactions q Announce actions before taking them q Be friendly, patient, accepting and encouraging but remain professional q Get immediate emergency aid when needed q Never promise anything you cannot do

Steps for Successful Crisis Resolution 1 2 3 • Active Listening Hearing and understanding what is being said to you Identification with, and an understanding of • Empathy another’s situation, feelings and motives • Rapport Building trust to solve the crisis 4 A willingness on the part of the person to • Influence accept suggestions and a course of action 5 A willingness on the part of the • Behavioral Change person to follow your suggestions

Diffusion Strategies q Appear confident q Display calmness q Create some space q Speak slowly, gently and clearly q Lower your voice q Indicate a willingness to understand help q Show that you are listening

Diffusion Strategies (cont. ) q Speak simply, move slowly q Do not challenge them q Show that you are paying attention q Calm the person and assure s/he feels heard before trying to solve the problem q Always attempt to gain voluntary compliance q Do not insult them

Interactions & Problem Solving If you see this… Anxiety/ Agitation Aggressive/ Inappropriate Behavior What might help… § Ask the person to slow down § Don’t demand answers § Give the person enough personal space § Reassure person there is time to sort the situation out § Can you remove the source of agitation/anxiety? § Set limits on behavior § Be aware of threatening statements and take them seriously

Interactions & Problem Solving If you see this… What might help… Hallucinations Delusions § Do not argue with hallucinations or delusions § Accept that this is what the person believes or perceives Loss of Contact w/Reality § Support reality based statements § Do not encourage statements that are not real § Be careful with use of touch Slow Response § Allow person to formulate a response § Be patient

Interactions & Problem Solving If you see this… What might help… Difficulty Establishing Directed Activity § Make expectations clear and concise § Help person identify meaningful tasks and break these down into doable tasks Difficulty Making Decisions § Limit number of decisions to be made § Take a directive stance that relate to a person’s safety Exaggerated Response § Use clear concise questions and statements

Interactions & Problem Solving If you see this… What might help… Depression Frustration Loneliness Guilt § Allow person to vent § Allow person to cry § Help in problem solving and making changes in behavior that will have an impact on feelings Disorganized Illogical Thinking § Word sentences in simple terms § Ask one question at a time § Allow person time to form an answer/response

Avoid Doing These Things Express anger/irritation or shout Move suddenly Challenge delusions/halluc inations Mislead person Force discussions Be very careful w/ your use of touch Assume they cannot hear you Use inflammatory language It is NOT personal

Rules for Personal Safety • Protect yourself with distance, avoid being surrounded and maintain an open line of flight • Never physically engage the person you are confronting • Never argue with an intoxicated person - it may lead to a physical confrontation • Never agree to meet the intoxicated person elsewhere or outside • If your physical safety is threatened, call for assistance

…would the situation best be resolved with police assistance? For Emergencies call 911 Non-Emergencies use police business line If I think it is a person with mental health issues…