The Arc of Western Wayne County: Serving people with disabilities

The Take Charge Helpline

Seeking Mental Health Treatment

When the need for treatment is evident, people may be at a loss as to what to say or do in order to succeed in getting the help that is needed.  Here are some suggestions:

Be informed as to what resources are available.  Contact The Detroit Wayne County Community Mental Health Agency at 313-833-2500, or the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill at 800-331-4264.

Evaluate the situation.  If there is danger to any person, call 911 or the police.  If a crisis occurs but there appears to be no immediate risk, get the person psychiatric emergency services or call the crisis intervention team.

If the need for intervention is not urgent, take time to talk to the person.  Stress that you care and are concerned.  Do not suggest a diagnosis, just explain that you want them to see someone to determine if they need help.  Ask them how they feel and how they feel about talking with a doctor or therapist.  Be honest and direct.  Use terms that you believe are most acceptable to them like unhappy, nervous, mixed-up or worried.  Respect their right to choose.  Understand that they may need to deny what is happening at first, but by discussing it with them, you have opened the door and they may later be ready to talk and/or seek help.

Understand their fears.  Be patient and supportive.  Accept that they may be more willing to talk with a trusted friend, doctor, clergy or another family member.

Always be honest.  They need to know that they can trust you.  Discuss commitment with them if this is a possibility.  Do not hide books about mental illness.  Do not make threats if you do not plan to follow through.

It will not help to argue or deny that what the person is seeing, hearing and feeling is real.  Instead, assure them that you love them and understand what they are experiencing is real to them, and you want to help them.

Share your concerns with family members and try to get their cooperation.  Understand they may disagree, deny or feel stigmatized by the idea of a family member having a mental illness.

If their condition deteriorates, if you have serious concerns about their well-being and you believe a crisis is imminent, and if they refuse to voluntarily seek treatment, you may need to pursue an involuntary order for treatment.

For more information, please contact The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Michigan at 800-331-4264, or visit them online at namimi.org.  You can also contact The Detroit Wayne County Community Mental Health Agency at 313-833-2500, or visit them online at www.dwccmha.com.

Phone code: 2204