Help for Parents/Family/Friends of an Individual with Mental Health Concerns
If you feel someone is suicidal you can call 911 and an ambulance can transport a person for psychiatric evaluation. If a person refuses transport there may be an option to involuntarily hospitalize them which is commonly referred to as a section 12. An emergency section 12 may be issued when a person suffering a mental illness is unable to protect themselves and/or are at substantial risk of harming themselves and/or others.Our Officers and Duxbury Fire Department Firefighters/Paramedics are here to help you get to the hospital to get the help they need.
Massachusetts General Law Chapter 123 Sections 12 deals with Court Ordered treatment for Mental Health (section 12).
If you are a blood relative, spouse, or guardian you may petition the court to have your family member brought before the court for evaluation. A judge will decide whether secure treatment is nessessary at a hearing.
To print a copy of this forms you can click on the link below:This form can be filled out and submitted to the Office of the Clerk Magistrate at the Plymouth District Court or any District Court whose jurisdiction where you may reside. These documents will be reviewed by a Judge and Medical Clinician who will determine a course of action and will in most cases issue a Court Order for an individual to be committed for Court Ordered Treatment for a specific period of time. This can be done without the services of an attorney.
William James College INTERFACE Referral service
In addition to the resources on this web site, the William James INTERFACE Referral Service maintains a mental health and wellness referral help line Monday through Friday, 9 am-5 pm, at 888-244-6843 (toll free). This is a free, confidential referral service for individuals across the lifespan living in participating communities. Callers are matched with licensed mental health providers from their extensive database. Each referral meets the location, insurance, and specialty needs of the caller.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Massachusetts has developed a "A Road Map through the Criminal Justice System for Persons with Mental Illness and Their Families." Click here to read this comprehensive document which should answer any questions you may have.
Warning Signs of Suicide
Hopelessness, helplessness
Feeling like a burden
Preoccupation with death or suicide
Withdrawal from family, friends, sports, social activities
Drastic changes in behavior
Depression/Anxiety/Eating Disorders
Giving away possessions
Taking unnecessary risks
Increased use of alcohol or drugs
Lack of energy
Unable to think clearly, can’t make decisions, can’t see a future without pain
Loss of interest in work, school, hobbies, social activities
Declining school performance/increased absences from school
Changes in appetite, sleeping habits, personal appearance
Sudden cheerfulness after a period of depression
Recurring themes of death or self-destruction in writing assignments or art projects
Peer pressure, bullying, internet bullying
Financial worries
Self-imposed worries and stress about succeeding in school, sports, work
http://www.masspreventssuicide.org
How To Talk With Someone Who May Be At Risk of Suicide
If you know someone who might be thinking of suicide, you can help them by listening. Very often people who think about suicide feel like they have no other options, like they have no control over their lives, and that no one cares about them. Keep in mind that talking with them about suicide will NOT put the idea into their minds. Often times, it is a great relief to someone that you have noticed that they are in pain and are willing to help.
If the person is in imminent risk of hurting themselves, do not leave them alone. Call for help or 911.
If this is not at a crisis stage, offer to sit and talk with the person and give them your full attention.
Tell them that you care, there is hope, and that you are willing to help them.
If the subject of suicide is hard to bring up, ask the question a little differently. For example, you could say “Do you sometimes feel so bad that you think of killing yourself?”
Helping them realize that there are options other than suicide and that they do have some control over their lives may help them realize that suicide is not the only option. Try not to be judgmental, give advice, minimize their feelings, or solve their problems. You should never try to help a suicidal person by yourself. They need a lot of attention, support and a professional assessment. Do not agree to keep this a secret. This is a matter of life or death and you need to be able to get the person help. http://www.masspreventssuicide.org
Click Here for Veteran's Mental Health Services.
Massachusetts Suicide Prevention Program Information
Crisis Hotlines
The Samaritans (877) 870-4673
United Way (508) 532-2255
National Suicide Prevention Hotline (800) 273-8255
National Hopeline Network (800) 784-2433
Nineline.org Hotline for Children and Teens (800) 999-9999
The Trevor Project (LGBT and youth questioning) (866) 488-7386
Crisis Text Line: Text “START” to 741-741
Veterans Crisis Line: (800) 273-8255 press 1