Article updated on December 11, 2017.
I would like to share with you two questions, which, if asked, answered and acted upon at the right moment may assist you when responding to mentally ill suspects.
Over the years I came to make it a point to ask these two questions of the mentally ill persons I was either dispatched to assist, or came upon while on patrol, as well as a few follow-up questions for each depending on the answer they gave me.
If I received an affirmative answer to these questions, I would sincerely believe that if the person could say it then they could do it and I would then take the appropriate actions.
The two questions are:
1. Are you having thoughts about harming yourself?
a. If so, how?
b. If so, have you taken any steps toward this goal?
c. Do you have access to any weapons to accomplish this goal?
2. Are you having any thoughts about harming someone else?
a. If so, have you taken any steps toward accomplishing this goal?
b. Do you have access to any weapons to accomplish this goal?
When you ask about weapons, look out as they may answer this question by reaching for or walking over to the weapon in question.
I did not ask these questions as if I was reading them off a form. I worked them into the conversation. For example, I would say, “In light of some of the things you have said, I was wondering have you had any thoughts recently about harming yourself?”
You do not have to be a police officer to ask these questions. They can be utilized by employers, family members, teachers, bus drivers, priests, pastors, imams and psychotherapists.
If you ask the questions regularly you may find yourself surprised as to how many times you receive a frank and honest answer. Even if you get a response to the negative you can draw some solace in the fact that you asked.
Some of you might say, “Asking these questions is just plain common sense.”
I agree. Now let’s spread the word and make something that seems to be common sense more of a common practice.
