Mental Health

Preventing Encounters

Law Enforcement Officers responding to situations involving individuals reasonably believed to be in a state of crisis necessitates an officer to make quick difficult judgments about the mental state and intent of the individual. The goal is to prevent these encounters from ever happening. 

Support System

If you or someone you know has a mental health issue, it can be helpful to talk about these issues with others. It can be scary to reach out for help, but it is often the first step to helping to heal, grow, and recover. Having a good support system and engaging with trustworthy people are key elements to successfully talking about your own mental health. 

No Support System

Many homeless or indigent people are in the state they are in because there is no support system. They will not have access to this information and everyone is responsible and here's how to help.  

Involuntary Commitment Civil Processes

Generally, there are three basic forms of involuntary treatment that may be available. An unofficial copy of Arkansas Statutes is available here.  

• Emergency hospitalization: A crisis response in which a patient is admitted to a treatment facility for psychiatric evaluation, typically for a short period of fixed time (e.g., 72 hours). "Psychiatric hold" or "pick-up" and other terms may be used to describe the process.
• Inpatient civil commitment: A process in which a judge orders hospital treatment for a person who continues to meet the state’s civil commitment criteria.
• Outpatient civil commitment: A treatment option in which a judge orders a qualifying person with symptoms of mental illness to adhere to a mental health treatment plan while living in the community.

Local Help

Mid-South Health 209 S. Lockard Blytheville AR 870-763-2139

Midsouth Medicine Psychiatry 208 N. 5th Blytheville AR 870-763-2461  

Additional Information

Department Policy 12.21 Excited Delirium