1. Think about your options - Steps to Justice

If you're worried that a loved one's mental health is putting them, you, or someone else in danger, you have 3 options:

1. Go to ER

You can take your loved one to the nearest hospital's emergency department (ER).

At the hospital, a doctor will assess their mental health as soon as possible to decide if they can be released or if they need a .

But you should take them to the hospital only if it's safe for both of you.

2. Ask a JP to sign a form 2

Your loved one may refuse to go to the hospital or refuse to get help for themselves. You can then ask a Justice of the Peace (JP) to sign Form 2 – Order for Examination.

A signed Form 2 order gives the police permission to take your loved one to a doctor even if they do not want to go. A doctor will assess their mental health as soon as possible to decide if they can be released or if they need a psychiatric assessment.

A JP is like a judge. You must show the JP that your loved one needs help.

Think carefully before you ask for a Form 2 order. In most cases, your loved one can find out who asked for the Form 2. And this can harm your relationship with them.

3. Call the police

You can call 911 if your loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis. But before you call, think carefully about whether it is likely to make the situation better or worse.

For some people in a mental health crisis, dealing with people in authority, such as police officers, can make the situation worse. Sometimes it can also increase the risk of injury to the person in crisis or to others nearby.

If you decide to call 911, think about what information you can share with the 911 operator to help keep everyone safe. For example, does your loved one have physical or mental disabilities that make it difficult for them to move or to respond to the police? Are there other things, such as the language they speak and understand, that make it difficult for them to communicate with the police?

If you decide to call 911, explain that there's a mental health emergency. Some places have special mental health crisis response teams.

If the police believe that your loved one or someone else is in real danger, they can take your loved one to a doctor. The doctor will assess your loved one's mental health to decide if they can be released or if they need a psychiatric assessment.