Sometimes, the only choice a family member or friend of someone suffering a mental health emergency may have is to call 911. Unfortunately, encounters between police and those suffering from mental illness have resulted in the injury or death of the person suffering the crisis.

In a case from earlier this year, a California woman was shot and killed by police after her family called 911 to report she hadn’t taken her medication and was acting out, according to The Daily Journal. The officer was cleared of wrongdoing after an investigation found he was justified in using lethal force.

If you’re dealing with a mental health emergency, what should you know about calling 911? Here are five things to keep in mind:

The mentally ill are still afforded civil rights, even when you call 911. To learn more about specific rules and issues regarding mental health emergencies where you live, check with your state’s department of mental health services.

Related Resources:

  • Victim of a Fake 911 Call? What Can You Do? (FindLaw’s Blotter)
  • Too Many 911 Calls Can Get You Arrested (FindLaw’s Blotter)
  • Legal How-To: Declaring Someone Incompetent (FindLaw’s Law and Daily Life)
  • Amanda Bynes on 5150 Hold After Alleged Driveway Fire (FindLaw’s Celebrity Justice)

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