houston – Following the tragic body discovery of Kay-Alana Turner, a woman who was experiencing a mental health crisis and may have fled from Congress, an engagement with those facing similar challenges during a mental health crisis. A dialogue has begun.
Nicole Milton, training manager for Mental Health America of Greater Houston, says warning signs are always obvious for people experiencing a mental health crisis or in the early stages of one. I emphasized that there are no restrictions.
“One is sudden changes in mood, where people suddenly become depressed or withdrawn. Those things can happen quickly, or they can go through a period of depression and then suddenly become happy or calm. Also, people who don't take care of themselves like to brush their teeth. The other thing to watch out for is people who are isolated,” Milton said. “What we probably see most often is people who get agitated or act out of control.”
To defuse situations involving someone experiencing a mental health crisis, it's a good idea to introduce yourself and ask for their name. If your response is insufficient and the situation escalates or becomes dangerous, we recommend contacting emergency services. Additionally, other options include contacting a mobile crisis outreach team or crisis intervention team (CIT) for assistance.
“The first thing you should do is ensure your own safety. Make sure the person is not in immediate danger to themselves or others. If you want to get close to the person, Try to maintain a calm demeanor and tone of voice to let the person know that you are listening and want help,” Milton said. “You don't necessarily need to call 911 and read that person again unless that person is a danger to themselves or others.”
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The Houston Police Department has a CIRT team that combines Houston CIT personnel with Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD licensed clinicians. They participate together on roll calls and patrols, providing the highest level of response to serious mental health crises.
“Instead of just sending an officer, we're sending an officer along with a mental health professional. They can de-escalate the person and get them to a sense of calm.” Milton explained. “When people are in crisis, law enforcement can escalate their crisis further and make them feel like they're in danger. “On the other hand, especially for the general public, asking questions I want someone I can talk to calmly who can help me and potentially connect with me, but I don't really know what to do.
Community resources for mental health
Mental Health America of Greater Houston is a nonprofit organization focused on mental health advocacy, education, and training. They provide community education on mental health resources and training to recognize and respond to mental health challenges. Although we do not directly provide counseling or therapy, we connect individuals to available resources, including therapy services, mental health tracking tools, and specialized resources in a variety of communities, including youth, seniors, and minority groups. Their website offers a comprehensive list of mental health resources, including substance abuse support, health equity, and guidance for navigating faith-based communities.
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