Mental Health Matters
This mental health condition may involve hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, or difficulty distinguishing what is real.
What is a psychotic disorder, such as schizophrenia?
This class of drugs includes heroin, fentanyl, and oxycodone. These substances can slow or stop breathing.
What are opioids?
A person is unresponsive, breathing very slowly, and has blue or gray lips. What life-threatening emergency should you suspect?
What is a possible opioid overdose?
When speaking with a person in crisis, this communication technique involves using a calm voice, short sentences, and clear language.
What is calm, clear communication?
True or false: A person who has a substance use disorder can stop using substances whenever they want if they have enough willpower.
What is false? Substance use disorders can involve powerful changes in reward, motivation, and behavior. Recovery may require treatment and ongoing support.
A person experiences persistent sadness, loss of interest, changes in sleep, and feelings of hopelessness.
What is major depression?
This stimulant is associated with increased energy, alertness, elevated heart rate, and sometimes paranoia or agitation.
What is methamphetamine?
This medication can reverse an opioid overdose and restore breathing, although emergency medical care is still necessary.
What is naloxone (Narcan)?
Rather than asking multiple questions at once, an deputy should use this approach to avoid overwhelming the person.
What is asking one question at a time and allowing processing time?
True or false: Everyone experiencing a mental health crisis is dangerous.
What is false? A mental health condition alone does not establish that a person is dangerous.
A person has an intense period of elevated or irritable mood, increased energy, and decreased need for sleep.
What is a manic episode?
This widely used depressant can impair coordination, judgment, reaction time, and consciousness.
What is alcohol?
You administer naloxone to an unresponsive person suspected of an opioid overdose. What should happen next?
What is activating EMS or 911, supporting breathing as trained, and monitoring the person?
A person is pacing, shouting, and appears frightened. If the scene permits, an deputy can reduce stimulation by doing this.
What is creating space, reducing unnecessary noise and crowding, and limiting the number of people speaking?
This term describes a return to substance use after a period of reduced use or recovery. It does not automatically mean treatment has failed.
What is a recurrence of use or relapse?
A person who has experienced trauma may react strongly to loud noises, sudden movements, or perceived threats because of this response.
What is a trauma-related response, such as hypervigilance? As in PTSD.
This class of prescription medications includes Xanax and Valium. Combining them with opioids can increase the risk of fatal respiratory depression.
What are benzodiazepines?
A person using methamphetamine has chest pain, a very high body temperature, and severe agitation. What is the priority?
What is immediate emergency medical evaluation and management?
A person experiencing paranoia says, 'You are all trying to hurt me.' An effective response acknowledges the emotion without confirming the belief.
What is validating the person's fear while calmly explaining your intentions?
This approach recognizes that trauma can affect trust, emotional regulation, and reactions to authority, and emphasizes safety, choice, and respect.
What is trauma-informed care?
A person appears confused, is disoriented, and has an abrupt change in attention or awareness. This condition can be caused by a medical problem, intoxication, or withdrawal.
What is delirium, requiring prompt medical evaluation?
A person uses cocaine or methamphetamine and develops chest pain, severe agitation, overheating, or seizures. This type of substance-related emergency should be considered.
What is a stimulant toxicity emergency?
A person has taken opioids and alcohol and is difficult to wake. Why is this combination especially dangerous?
What is the increased risk of profound sedation, respiratory depression, and death?
A person in crisis is not responding to commands as expected. Before assuming deliberate noncompliance, deputies should consider these possibilities.
What are mental illness, intoxication, withdrawal, cognitive or developmental disabilities, trauma, and medical causes?
This evidence-based approach combines medications, when appropriate, with counseling and behavioral supports to treat substance use disorders.
What is medication for substance use disorder, often discussed as medication-assisted treatment (MAT)?