5. Staying Safe and Managing Crises
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Emergency situations
Sometimes there is nothing you can do to prevent a crisis, and it may become an emergency situation. It is best if you can get your relative to a hospital voluntarily. This should be part of your crisis plan.
If your loved one appears likely to endanger themselves or someone else and refuses to seek help, you can get a judge or justice of the peace to issue a document that authorizes the police to take your relative for an assessment. The Mental Health Act allows physicians and/or concerned family members to request an emergency assessment through one of these ways:
If your relative is in a crisis or emergency situation, accompany them to the nearest emergency department. If they are unwilling and you are concerned, call 911.
Empowering Families Affected by Substance Use © , CAMH.