Crisis Plans
Managing Dangerous Behaviors at Home
We all know to call 911 in case of a medical emergency, but what about calling for a behavioral situation?
It is possible for a child’s behavior to be so out of control that it becomes unsafe and too much for us to handle as caregivers. How do we discern what to do in this case?
There are 3 main instances that would warrant a 911 call:
The child is exhibiting dangerous or harmful behavior towards others. Examples: using bodily force to hurt another person, acting with intent to harm using a weapon or dangerous object.
The child is exhibiting dangerous or harmful behavior toward him or herself. The child is taking action to cause self-inflicted bodily harm. Examples: repeatedly banging one’s head on a concrete floor, using sharp instrument to cause bleeding/pain, running away.
The child is engaging in destruction of property that could result in harm toward him or herself or others.
During a 911 call, it is very important to let the dispatcher know of any mental health or developmental challenges for the person needing help. Some departments have social workers or mental health personnel who may be sent along if necessary.
You can also dial your town’s nonemergency police line or a local mobile crisis unit. A mobile crisis unit will be able to help you assess the situation and make a decision for further treatment.
Here are some available options:
1. ASPIRE Behavioral Health Alliance: Crisis Line (800) 528-4890
“Aspire Health Alliance’s Adult and Youth Mobile Crisis Intervention Services provides in-home, community, and hospital ER-based services to children, teens, and adults who are at risk of harming themselves or others. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, master’s level clinicians provide psychiatric evaluation and treatment to support and stabilize clients while transitioning them to the appropriate level of care within the community. Aspire Health Alliance’s Crisis Services also includes an open, eight-bed stabilization unit that offers an alternative to hospitalization for clients in need of short-term crisis intervention. Aspire accepts MassHealth as well as most major insurance plans. “
ASPIRE serves the following towns on the South Shore: Braintree, Cohasset, Hingham, Hull, Milton, Norwell, Quincy, Randolph, Scituate, Weymouth
2. Massachusetts Mobile Crisis Intervention: (877)-382-1609
“Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs) offer mobile crisis services, meaning CBHC crisis teams can come directly to you! Whether you’re at home, school, or somewhere else entirely – we’ve got you covered. If you or your child are experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, Mobile Crisis Intervention (MCI) is available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, 365 days/year. Anyone can use MCI at any time — no insurance needed. MCI services are provided by trained professionals who can travel to your location to assess your needs, provide immediate assistance, and determine the best path forward.
If you or your loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis and feel like you need help within one hour, call toll-free 877-382-1609 any time day or night, listen to the message, and enter your zip code. Your call will be automatically transferred to the closest CBHC who will do an immediate crisis assessment. When appropriate, your local CBHC will dispatch a team of mental health professionals to your home (or any other location in your community) for crisis assessment and intervention within 60 minutes of being contacted.” - www.mass.gov/info-details/mobile-crisis-intervention