If your family member is in crisis and is a danger to themselves or others, call 911. When you do, you are asking a stranger to come into your home to resolve a crisis situation. They will only have the information that you provide to them. It is a good practice to gather as much of this information as possible before a crisis occurs.
Provide the communications officer on the phone the following information:
- Your name
- Address to which the police should respond
- Nature of the crisis (why you need the police)
- Prior or current violent behavior
- Weapons or access to weapons
- Name of your family member in crisis
- Age of family member
- Height and weight of family member
- Clothing description of your family member
- Diagnosis (mental health and/or other)
- Current medications (on or off)
- Drug use (current or past)
- Triggers (what upsets them)
- State what has helped on previous police contacts
- Identify other persons in the residence or at the location
What to expect from the police:
- The 911 operator will dispatch uniformed patrol officers to your location.
- Officers may detain your family member, which will include handcuffing and is for the safety of everyone, including your family member.
- Officers will conduct a preliminary investigation whether a crime occurred.
- Officers will conduct a preliminary mental health investigation to determine whether your family member is a danger to self or others.
- Officers should inquire about any firearms or deadly weapons and may seize them for safe-keeping.
- Officers will consult with Johnson County Mental Health Center and a mental health co-responder may be dispatched, if available.
If your family member is in crisis, but is not a threat to the safety to themselves or others, you can call any one of these phone numbers:
- Johnson County Mental Health Center 24/7 Crisis Line: 913-268-0156
- Johnson County Non-Emergency Dispatch: 913-782-0720
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): 800-950-6264
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
Download a checklist version of this information to keep in your home. (PDF)