Treatment Planning and Mental Disorders | Mental Health
*Wise Counsel*
* Though only a small percentage of persons with mental disorder become violent, you should still be vigilant for the risk of violence. People who are paranoid believe that others are working against them, perhaps in an elaborate plot can feel threatened enough to strike out at others.
* Mania feeling grandiose and on top of the world can also breed violence when the manic individual is crossed.
* Never risk yourself, your family, or your congregation membe
treatment planning and mental disorders mental health
thinking that violence will not occur. If a situation is escalating, it is better to call for help than to overlook the potential of violence.
* Police and paramedics are trained to assess the situation and to bring to local emergency rooms people who are exhibiting signs of mental problems. At the emergency room, medical professionals should be available to assess the individual and decide on a course of action. You can help by reporting your concerns to the police or par
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amedics.
*Action Steps*
1. Lessen the Risks
* If there is any risk of violence, get professionals involved immediately.
* Remove any weapons (guns, knives, anything else sharp, and ropes, scarves, sheets, or belts) and drugs from the home. Try to observe the person until help arrives.
2. Watch Yourself
* Explain to family members that if they are present with the person who is expressing extreme anger or paranoia, get out of the way.
* They should
Category › Mental Health
Title › Treatment Planning and Mental Disorders | Mental Health
not block the individuals exit. Instead, they should let him leave and call 9-1-1.
3. Get Professional Help
Encourage family members to talk with a professional if their loved one is
- Threatening violence
- Causing financial hardships
- Abusing substances (see also the section on Addictions)
- Participating in dangerous or destructive behavior. Online therapy can be helpful to get rid of such problems.
- Disappearing without explanation
4. Get Medical Help
The answer to the problem may lie in a drug that will help with the person’s disordered brain chemistry.
5. Support Groups
* There are many support groups for those who love persons with mental
disorders. The best-known is NAMI, the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, which sponsors both support and advocacy across the country.
* Other groups can be found by contacting your local mental health agencies.
6. Practical Help
* Local mental health agencies should have information about financial help, health insurance, supportive counseling, and other interventions that can aid persons with mental disorders and their families.
* Person’s with chronic mental disorder who need ongoing help may benefit
from programs such as day treatment or supportive living facilities.
7. Spiritual Help
* God is for those with mental disorders. Be sure to be spiritually sensitive and unbiased in your love and heart to them.
* Help the person with mental disorder understand his need for Christ. Is he a Christian? Does he know the plan of salvation? Does he understand what Jesus can do in his life? (See John 1:12; Romans 3:23; 6:23.)
* Pray for wisdom regarding your approach to helping the person with mental disorder. Does he need advice, encouragement, education, correction, a support system, insight, confession, verbal reinforcement, modeling, or confrontation?
8. Live in Peace
* Do not blame the person with a mental disorder or get sucked into arguments with him.
* The person is, indeed, ill and blaming this person is like blaming a patient for his heart attack. Take help from telephone counseling.