Oxford University Press's
Academic Insights for the Thinking World

  • Author: Linda Tashbook

Family Guide to Mental Illness and the Law

How to call for the police Crisis Intervention Team

When you call 911 for assistance with someone whose mental health symptoms are out of control specifically ask for crisis intervention officers with mental health training. Tell the dispatcher that the person you are calling about has a diagnosed mental illness and is experiencing a mental health crisis, explain what that illness is, and then after setting that foundation help prepare the officers for the scene by giving the 911 operator all of the details about the current behavior.

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