Crisis Information

How To Respond in a Crisis
(Scroll to bottom for Local Crisis Phone Numbers)

As a family member or close friend, you are the one most likely to recognize when someone you love is approaching or in a crisis. Acting swiftly and effectively when you see warning signs of a developing emergency can produce better results than allowing the situation to deteriorate before acting.

IF THERE IS IMMINENT DANGER: If your instincts tell you a situation is dangerous, it probably is.                 
CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY.                                                                                *ASK who in the department is  trained to deal with people who are having a mental health crisis.For example: “I am calling about an emergency involving mental illness. Do you have someone assigned to handle mental health emergencies?"                                                                                       *MAKE IT CLEAR that you are calling about someone having an acute mental illness episode. For example: “My daughter has bipolar disorder, she is not taking her medication and she is manic.”

*DESCRIBE the behavior you are seeing that most closely matches the laws in your state that are used to hospitalize someone for emergency psychiatric care or to initiate civil commitment proceedings. For example, don’t say, “My son is a danger to self,” say “My son says he is going to blow his brains out and I know he has a gun in his car trunk,” or “My daughter is setting fire to wastebaskets all over the house.”

*EXPLAIN why you cannot handle the situation yourself. For example: “I am frightened he will hurt me,” or “She is throwing things at the walls and I cannot get her into a car.”  

*BE VERY CLEAR that you are seeking involuntary psychiatric hospitalization and not arrest. 

For Emergency Preparedness:
http://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/get-help/be-prepared-for-an-emergency
Printable General In A Crisis Guidelines (From The Treatment Advocacy Center)
http://treatmentadvocacycenter.org/storage/documents/In_a_crisis_-_General_guidelines.pdf
Printable In A Crisis If There Is A Suicide Threat Guidelines 
http://treatmentadvocacycenter.org/storage/documents/in_a_crisis_-_suicide_danger.pdf
Printable In A Crisis If There Is An Assault Threat Guidelines
http://treatmentadvocacycenter.org/storage/documents/in_a_crisis_-_assault_danger.pdf

IF THERE IS A SUICIDE THREAT: Remember: It is a myth that people who threaten to kill themselves don’t do it.

Numbers To Call:

Georgia Crisis; Access Line (24/7)            1-800-715-4225

24 hour Peer Support "Warm Line"           1-888-945-1414                    (for consumers in immediate need)

Police (ask for CIT Officer or trained negotiator, no sirens)   911

Albany Community Service Board (CSB)

     After Hours, Emergency                      229-430-4052

     Information                                       229-430-4345