Which disposition is most appropriate when assisting someone with a mental disorder?

• A. Release the person to the custody or family or friends.
• B. Consult w/ a mental health professional in your community.
• C. Arrest the person for a statutory violation.
• D. Release the person and refer them to a helping agency.

Answer: (B)

When assisting someone in a mental health crisis, the first goal is to connect them with appropriate evaluation and resources rather than taking actions that could miss underlying needs or escalate risk. Consulting with a mental health professional in the community is the best course because it brings clinical expertise to assess safety, determine the level of care required, and arrange access to crisis services, outpatient treatment, or hospitalization if needed. This approach helps ensure the person’s rights are respected and that any response aligns with appropriate treatment rather than punishment or guesswork.

Releasing the person to custody, family, or friends without professional input can leave critical mental health needs unaddressed and may shift responsibility without ensuring safety. Arresting for a statutory violation is only appropriate if a separate criminal offense is present; a mental health crisis on its own typically does not justify criminal charges. Simply releasing and referring to a helping agency may be helpful in some situations, but without a clinical assessment, the person may not receive the necessary treatment or crisis stabilization.

In practice, use de-escalation, gather essential information, and involve a mental health professional to determine the safest and most appropriate disposition.