What steps should be taken to respond to suspected mental health crisis beyond de-escalation?

What steps should be taken to respond to suspected mental health crisis beyond de-escalation?

• A. Wait and hope it resolves.
• B. Involve mental health professionals and ensure safety.
• C. Punish the behavior.
• D. Isolate the inmate and avoid intervention.

Answer: (B)

When a suspected mental health crisis is identified, the priority is safety and getting the right help involved. De-escalation helps calm a situation, but a crisis requires evaluation and care by trained mental health professionals who can assess risk, provide stabilization, and arrange appropriate treatment or medical care. Act quickly to contact the facility’s mental health crisis team or medical staff, and ensure the inmate is safe by removing hazards, maintaining a calm, non-threatening environment, and supervising as needed. Follow your facility’s protocols for reporting, documentation, and, if there is imminent danger, initiating emergency medical or psychiatric procedures and arranging transport to a medical or mental health facility. Waiting, punishing, or isolating the person does not address the health needs or reduce risk and can make the situation worse. Involve mental health professionals and ensure safety to respond effectively.

When a suspected mental health crisis is identified, the priority is safety and getting the right help involved. De-escalation helps calm a situation, but a crisis requires evaluation and care by trained mental health professionals who can assess risk, provide stabilization, and arrange appropriate treatment or medical care. Act quickly to contact the facility’s mental health crisis team or medical staff, and ensure the inmate is safe by removing hazards, maintaining a calm, non-threatening environment, and supervising as needed. Follow your facility’s protocols for reporting, documentation, and, if there is imminent danger, initiating emergency medical or psychiatric procedures and arranging transport to a medical or mental health facility. Waiting, punishing, or isolating the person does not address the health needs or reduce risk and can make the situation worse. Involve mental health professionals and ensure safety to respond effectively.