NCJ Number
204684
Date Published
2002
Length
22 pages
Annotation
Written by Massachusetts mothers of youths with mental health disorders -- in consultation with professionals in the fields of law enforcement, mental health, business, and teaching -- this publication provides information on mental illness and its various manifestations, the types of medication used to treat mental illness, and how police officers can effectively interact with and manage mentally ill youth with whom they come in contact.
Abstract
After noting that all types of mental health needs can be diagnosed and treated, the guide advises police officers that parents of mentally ill youth can be effective allies for officers who are responding to a situation that involves a mentally troubled youth. Clear communication from the officer will help the parent remain calm and supportive as the officer interacts with the youth. The guide assures officers that most youths with mental health needs are no more violent or dangerous than persons in the general population. The most difficult encounters will be with youth who have never been diagnosed with or treated for mental illness or have stopped taking prescribed medication or have a major mental health disorder and a co-occurring substance abuse problem. In cases where a youth may be a threat to himself/herself, the responding officer should act cautiously and sensitively so as to be nonthreatening and calming. The guide lists factors that may signal the presence of a mental health need in a youth they contact. Recommendations are then listed for how the officer should respond to such a youth. Regarding disposition of a call that involves a mentally ill youth, the guide advises that many nondangerous youth are best managed by supporting the parents' wishes and encouraging professional mental health intervention. If the incident or the youth appears to pose a threat to the youth or to others, the officer may call for a crisis team to come to the site or transport the youth to an emergency mental health facility. The guide describes the features of various mental health disorders and learning disabilities, followed by the profiling of various medications likely to be used by mentally ill youth, along with possible side effects. A glossary and a list of mental health resources available in Massachusetts