Crisis Intervention

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CRISIS INTERVENTION

Crisis intervention refers to brief intensive services for individuals who experience an event or circumstance that produces emotional, mental, physical, and behavioral distress. A crisis can refer to any situation in which the individual perceives a sudden loss of his or her ability to use effective problem-solving and coping skills. Crisis situations can include but are not limited to sexual assault or other criminal victimization; mental illness; thoughts of suicide or homicide; and loss of a relationship through death or divorce. Crisis intervention aims to increase stabilization and help individuals return to their level of functioning before the crisis.

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Baker Act-The Florida Mental Health Act

(Florida Statute 394)

The Baker Act allows for involuntary or emergency examination through a Crisis Stabilization Unit (as defined in FAC 65E-12.103) or Baker Act Receiving Facility (as defined in FAC 65E-12.103) that may last up to 72 hours. Involuntary examination may be initiated by judges, law enforcement officials, physicians or mental health professionals. There must be evidence that the person has a mental and is harmful to self, harmful to others, or self neglectful (as defined in Chapter 394, Part I, F.S.). Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU)

A CSU is a state-supported mental health service or program that is a short term alternative to inpatient psychiatric hospitalization and an integrated part of a designated public receiving facility under the authority of Chapter 394, F.S. A CSU provides brief intensive services for individuals who are presented as acutely mentally ill on a 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week basis, under the licensing authority of the department. The purpose of the CSU is to examine, stabilize and redirect people to the most appropriate and least restrictive treatment settings consistent with their needs.

Receiving Facility

A facility designated by the department to receive individuals under emergency conditions or for psychiatric evaluation and to provide short-term treatment, and also means a private facility when rendering services to a private individual pursuant to Chapter 394, Part I, F.S. For a list of Baker Act Receiving Facilities in the state of Florida visit: http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/programs/samh/MentalHealth/laws/08appn.pdf

Crisis Prevention Services are available through Miami Behavioral Health Center Mobile Crisis Team: http://www.mbhc.org/

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Marchman Act-Voluntary or Involuntary Substance Abuse Assessment & Stabilization (Florida Statute 397)

Voluntary Admission

An individual who requires treatment for substance abuse may apply to a community service provider for voluntary admission. The service provider within the financial and space capabilities must admit an individual of any age to treatment when sufficient evidence exists that the individual is impaired by substance use/abuse and the medical and behavioral conditions of the person are not beyond the safe management capabilities of the service provider.

Involuntary Admission

The Marchman Act established a variety of methods under which substance abuse assessment, stabilization and treatment could be obtained on an involuntary basis. Criteria for all involuntary admissions must include good faith reason to believe the person is substance abuse impaired and, because of such impairment: Has lost the power of self-control with respect to substance use; and either a. Has inflicted, or threatened or attempted to inflict, or unless admitted is likely to inflict, physical harm on himself or herself or another; or b. Is in need of substance abuse services and, by reason of substance abuse impairment, his or her judgment has been so impaired that the person is incapable of appreciating his or her need for such services and of making a rational decision in regard thereto; however, mere refusal to receive such services does not constitute evidence of lack of judgment with respect to his or her need for such services. There are five involuntary admission procedures. Non-court related procedures include:

Protective Custody-used by law enforcement officers when a person is intoxicated in public or brought to the attention of the officer.
Emergency Admission-admission to a hospital, and addiction receiving facility or a detoxification facility for emergency assessment and stabilization initiated by a physician, spouse, guardian, relative, or any responsible adult who has personal knowledge of the person.
Alternative Involuntary Assessment for Minors-provides a way for a parent, legal guardian or legal custodian to have a minor admitted to an addiction receiving facility to assess the minor’s need for treatment.

Court related procedures include:

Involuntary Assessment and Stabilization-involves filing a petition* with the Clerk of the court by the person’s spouse, guardian, any relative, a private practitioner, the director of a licensed service provider, or any three adults with knowledge of the person.
Involuntary Treatment Regardless of the court-involves filing a petition* with the clerk of court after the person has been involved in at least one of the four previously mentioned procedures.

*Petitions can be obtained for the Clerk of Court’s Office at the Department of Juvenile Justice located at 3300 NW 27^th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33142. There are instructions that are given along with the package for those seeking involuntary petitions.

Marchman Act User Reference Guide: http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/programs/samh/SubstanceAbuse/marchman/marchmanacthand03p.pdf.

Florida Department of Juvenile Justice: http://www.djj.state.fl.us/

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Suicide Prevention

Suicide is often committed out of despair, or attributed to some underlying mental health disorder which can include depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism and drug abuse. Comprehensive telephone counseling, crisis intervention, suicide prevention and referral services are available.

211 Children's Trust Helpline

211

TTY: (305) 644-9449

Switchboard Helpline

(305) 358-HELP

(305) 644-9449 (TTY)

National Suicide Prevention Hotline

1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-273-TALK (8255)

National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center

1-866-SAFEYOUTH (1-866-723-3968)

http://www.safeyouth.org

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