Abstract
First responders and clinicians often must engage individuals who are experiencing some form of behavioral crisis. The nature and origins of behavioral crises vary widely; the causes of such crises include severe mental illness, acute alcohol intoxication, and intellectual or developmental disabilities, among others. This chapter explores the challenges faced by first responders in responding to behavioral crises. We begin by describing the tragedy that befell Robert Ethan Saylor, who died after a confrontation with police over a $12 movie ticket. We then describe crisis intervention team (CIT) approaches to serving individuals in behavioral crisis more effectively and safely. Finally, we draw on our work and the work of others in the City of Chicago to explore organizational and policy obstacles to more effective interventions for individuals who experience behavioral crisis.
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Sadler, T., Pollack, H. (2020). Engaging People in Behavioral Crisis. In: Siegler, M., Rogers Jr., S. (eds) Violence, Trauma, and Trauma Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-31246-6_4
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