What should you do in an emergency?

Control Yourself - don't shout into the phone or at arriving officers or medical professionals.  They can't understand you if you shout.

On the phone:  Be ready to give concrete examples of the dangerous behaviors and to support your contention that the person is mentally ill.  For example, say, "My daughter pulled a knife" as opposed to "My daughter wants to kill me."

State over the phone the following information and be ready to repeat it to arriving police officers and/or medical professionals:

• Your name.
• Your address.
• Family member's name.
• Your relationship.
• That the person is mentally ill and give the diagnosis.
• State whether medications are being used, whether it was stopped and when was the last time the meds were taken.
• Describe what your family member is doing now.
• Say whether you feel threatened.
• Say whether your family member is hearing voices or fears someone.
• Say whether a weapon is in the house -- to minimize further agitation, remove any guns from the house before the police arrive
• Say where inside the house is your family member
• Say whether there is a history of violence

Until professionals arrive, you must STAY CALM and:

• Be polite, respectful, reassuring, low-key and direct with your family member.
• Maintain on-going communication directly with the person and do not include others in side conversations.
• Do not try to trick or deceive your family member.
• Avoid immediately moving in close or touching the person unless necessary.
• Remove all objects with which a person may do harm to self or others.

When professionals arrive:

• Have all the lights on inside the house.
• Identify yourself.
• Carry nothing in your hands especially coming outside to meet them, in which case walk, don't run to meet them.
• Don't ramble.
• Be prepared to repeat the information you gave over the phone.
• State whether there is a history of suicide attempts.
• State whether your family member is violent or delusional.
• Have treating psychiatrist's phone number handy.

Source:  nami san francisco