a still from the Academy Award-winning film "Ryan" by Chris Landreth, produced by the NFB and Copper Heart Entertainment
We know what to do if we see somebody fall down the subway steps or crash their bike into a lamp-post – call 911 and try to provide some comfort until help arrives. But what about this scenario? Walking down the street you pass somebody talking to the air about aliens and it’s obvious they’re experiencing an episode of mental illness. I, for one, never know what to do and end up trying to avoid the person. But this is a sorry response born of fear and ignorance. Our culture sensationalizes the (rare) acts of violence committed by people with mental illness when, paradoxically, it’s this population which is the most vulnerable. As a result, we, or at least I, end up shunning those who may be deeply in need of help. So, what’s the right thing to do?
“It’s tricky,” says At Home participant and peer organizer, Joe Hatch, “You can’t just walk up to somebody and say, ‘Hey, you’re in trouble,’ because usually they don’t see it. When I was in mania, I didn’t realize it. I thought what I was doing made sense. So it’s not like helping somebody who broke their leg and knows they need help.”
Greg Richmond, project leader of At Home’s Vancouver Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team suggests the following simple advice: “Approach in a non-threatening way and ask if you can help.” This makes sense and it reminds me of my interview with Sam Tsemberis who stressed that Housing First was founded on a client-centred approach to the problem of homelessness and mental illness. “Of course,” says Richmond, “If you’re worried that the person’s safety is at risk, or that they pose a risk to others, you should call 911. But those instances are rare.”
What do you think? What’s your response when you see people struggling with mental illness in public?
6 comments
Tamar says:
Sep 11, 2012
This is a great issue to bring up. It never really occurred to me before that if I see someone struggling with mental illness on the street that I COULD do something for them. I wish this article even had more information. If I ask them if they need help and they say yes… what next? What can I offer them?
Oisin Curran says:
Sep 12, 2012
Thanks for the great question – I’m going to get back in touch with Greg Richmond and see what he suggests.
Sara says:
Sep 13, 2012
This may not be the best advice and it could also potentially put the assister in danger. I am not suggesting that the individual experiencing an episode of mania is dangerous, but how can one confidently suggest that a good way to help the manic individual is approach them? You cannot differentiate between mania and drug-induced psychosis without professional help and if this is the case you could potentially be putting the assister in an unsafe situation. If asking if the person needs help is the first step, how can you be prepared to properly provide an appropriate response? If the supposedly manic individual needs a ride, money or something else the assister is not prepared to provide what is the responsibility of the helper? This article could be construed in many different ways. I would caution on approaching someone who “appears” to be manic.
Oisin Curran says:
Sep 13, 2012
Excellent points – I spoke with Greg Richmond and he had some great responses to your comment, as well as to the previous one. I’m going to write up a quick summary of our conversation and either put it here in the comments or, possibly, post it as a follow-up blog entry.
Kirk Bennett says:
Oct 23, 2012
Oisin – I am curious if you managed to do a followup blog entry on this matter?
admin says:
Oct 29, 2012
Thanks for reminding me Kirk! I’m going to try to get a post up about it later this week.