Publications from ODSW Social Insights: Letters by DSW (Vol 2) | Seite 71

Practice Issues
dangerous and some may only present dangerous behaviour under certain
circumstances or conditions. Being calm while being alert and sensitive to
the mental state of the person involved is critical. Oftentimes, the energy
and vibes generated on-site can escalate the situation. In determining the
risk, the team should assess the situation using as much information that can
be gathered as possible, be it from previous knowledge or from the scene
itself.

Responding to Persons Affected by Mental Illness
or in Crisis
When responding to persons showing abnormal behaviour or symptoms
of mental illness or mental health crisis, the crisis team should consider the
following actions to manage the situation for the safety of all at the scene:
i. Evaluate the nature of the situation and the necessity for police
intervention or other referrals.
ii. If police intervention is necessary, evaluate if contact should be made
by phone or in person. In some situations, it is necessary to plan ahead
on how the police can intervene should there be violent behaviour that
requires the police to restrain the person. The police may also be called
when there is a subject who threatens to jump from a flat or set fire at a
scene.

Possible Resolutions
In determining the appropriate resolution for a person in crisis, the crisis
team should consider the totality of the circumstances, including the
behaviour of the person with a suspected mental illness or developmental
disability and/ or the safe transportation of the affected person to a facility
to receive services. The following are possible resolutions to the incident:
i. Escorting the affected person to a mental health agency for evaluation,
care and treatment.
ii. Having a mental health professional attend to the affected person onsite
and to arrange for follow-up meetings.
iii. Assuring the individual in crisis throughout the incident that all interveners
have an appropriate level of training and competence.
It is possible that a crisis is de-escalated and the p erson is not removed from
the home. This may be the case when it is assessed that taking the person
away immediately may result in undue safety risks.
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