What is a behavioral emergency?

A behavioral emergency refers to a situation where an individual's mental state is altered, leading to potential harm to themselves or others. This could encompass a range of psychiatric conditions or significant changes in behavior due to mental health crises, such as severe anxiety, psychosis, or other disorders that impair judgment and present an immediate risk.

Understanding this concept is crucial for first responders because responding to such emergencies requires a different approach in comparison to physical injuries or medical emergencies. Proper identification of a behavioral emergency enables responders to engage de-escalation techniques, appropriately assess risks, and ensure the safety of both the individual and those around them.

Physical injuries, respiratory complications, and allergic reactions do involve medical interventions but do not directly relate to the underlying mental health status or behavioral issues, which are central to defining a behavioral emergency.