Mental Health Crisis Recognition and Response

We consult agencies and police representative organizations (such as the PBA and FOP) on the basics of suspected mental impairment and how to respond to emergencies involving such individuals. We use the term 'suspected impairment' because diagnosing a disorder requires assessments and interviews in a controlled environment, such as an office or hospital.

The field is not a controlled environment, and officers are not qualified to diagnose disorders; they can only suspect them.

We consult with our clients to identify behavioral characteristics that may align with certain personality disorders and to determine how to approach these individuals based on those characteristics. When attempts at de-escalation may be inappropriate, which happens more often than not, immediate on-scene intervention and transport to a hospital become necessary.