In responding to a person in crisis, when should mental health professionals be involved?

• A. When appropriate.
• B. Only if the person explicitly asks for them.
• C. Never; officers handle crisis alone.
• D. Only after the incident ends and a report is written.

Answer: (C)

Collaborative crisis response relies on bringing in mental health professionals when there are signs of a mental health crisis or when de-escalation and clinical assessment are needed. They have training to recognize symptoms, assess risk of self-harm or harm to others, and determine the appropriate level of care. Involving them early improves safety, reduces the chance of relying solely on force, and helps connect the person to services or treatment. Police can provide scene safety and initial stabilization, but the expertise of mental health clinicians is essential for guiding the crisis toward appropriate care. The best practice is to involve mental health professionals as appropriate, rather than handling the situation with police alone or waiting until the incident ends.