Mental Health Crisis Spirals
Officers stayed busy helping people who were coping with mental health issues. At 2:30 pm, they were summoned to King’s Daughters’ Hospital to assist EMS with a psych patient refusing to go to the hospital in an ambulance. Officers assisted in getting the patient to the hospital.
A mental health facility asked officers to serve a patient with involuntary commitment papers at 3:40 pm. Officers checked on the patient at their parents’ home, and it was determined there was not enough evidence to issue a pink slip. The family decided to take the matter to court.
A juvenile was transported to the hospital after an incident in Sciotoville. At 4 am, a worried parent contacted officers to say their child had busted out a window and appeared to be high on something. Officers caught up with the child at a New Boston Park and took them home.
However, just before 6 am, the same child sent text messages to someone outside the family saying they wished to harm themselves. An ambulance was dispatched to the scene, and the child was taken to the hospital for a mental evaluation.
Just after 6 am, officers responded to King’s Daughters’ Hospital for a report of a troubled man refusing to leave the hospital. PPD Officers took the man home to Sciotoville and advised him to stop going to the hospital for help, or he would be arrested. They also advised the man they would no longer give him rides home.
At 7 am, officers responded to a Portsmouth home for a report of a suicidal man who had put something around his neck. When officers arrived at the scene, they observed marks on the man’s neck. An ambulance took the man to the hospital.
A worried Portsmouth mom contacted PPD at 7 pm to find out if it was possible to put a psychiatric hold on her child. PPD contacted CPS.
Bryan Davis, Scioto County Commissioner and member of the National Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing spoke to SCDN about this issue.
“We are lobbying at the National and State levels for funding for Mental Health Crisis Centers to be established. The state cut back on services over the last 30 years, and here we are. People need help. This is a nationwide problem being encountered literally everywhere in our communities. We are advocating for more access, better more realistic legislation, and more funding to help our citizens. The funding required will take a federal and state approach. The problem now is the help can’t come fast enough”.
Portsmouth City Councilperson and ADAMHS board member Lyvette Mosley also spoke to SCDN.
“Our country is facing an unprecedented mental health crisis. This crisis isn’t just affecting the adults. it’s devastating young people, and people from every background are impacted in some way. I’m a woman of faith, and I strongly believe in prayer. Our 1st responders must be ready to handle these situations with an understanding of what they can be dealing with at any time. God help our country”.
