By Catherine Barber
I am part of a study looking at cases where someone with a behavioral health issue died after being shot by the police. Among close to 1,000 cases, we learned that many of the original 911 calls weren’t about mental health—but when they were, the outcome was especially heartbreaking for the person, their family, and the officers involved.
We are still learning more, but here are some key takeaways families should know before, during, and after a 911 call.
1. Store Household Guns Away from Home or Make Them Inaccessible for Now
Most Veteran suicide deaths involve a gun. When someone is in crisis and the police arrive and find a person holding a firearm, things can go wrong very quickly.
The most important way to ensure one’s safety happens before the crisis.
Suggest your Veteran store their guns away from home while they are struggling. They can get them back when they’re doing better. Make sure to stress that this is for their own personal safety.
Check out ideas for alternative gun storage and state-specific laws that may impact whether you can loan your guns to someone.
2. Be Clear About Weapons When You Call
Ask the dispatcher if an officer can call you while they are on the way. This lets you give important details, such as:
- Be very specific about what weapons are—or are not—present.
- If there are no guns, state that clearly and ask the dispatcher to tell officers.
- If they have been violent before, tell the dispatcher and ask if responding officers can use lower-lethality options to help de-escalate the situation.
3. If They Say “I Want The Police to Kill Me”
Some people in crisis directly or indirectly tell someone they want the police to kill them.
If your Veteran has said this, calling 911 may provoke anxiety and increase danger in a crisis situation. It is likely to be safer to call 988 (the behavioral health crisis line) instead, unless you are in immediate physical danger and cannot safely leave.
If the police are already there and it becomes clear your Veteran is trying to get them to shoot him or her, one option is for the police simply to leave.
Some police departments have started doing this if they find that no one else is in danger. They’ve learned that their presence in some cases only escalates the situation.
4. Communicate Clearly with Responding Officers
Sleep, nutrition, hydration, and movement are the foundations for a healthy mind and body. Keeping these habits consistent can keep you or your loved one’s stress levels from rising.
When you call 911:
- “He gets very confused when people yell.”
- “She’s hard of hearing.”
- “He’s been using meth and hearing voices.”
5. Consider Calling 988 Instead of 911
If no one is in immediate danger, calling 988 may be a safer option. In some areas, trained crisis counselors from 988 can call on a mobile crisis team of trained healthcare professionals to come and assess the situation without bringing weapons into the equation.
Police presence can escalate the situation, especially for someone who fears arrest or believes the only way out is for police to kill them.
6. Make a Plan Before the Next Crisis
If your loved one goes through recurring mental health crises, planning ahead can save a life.
Steps you can take:
- Call 988 now and ask if your area has a mobile crisis unit.
- Ask your local police if they have a mental health response team.
- Ask your loved one what they want to happen if a crisis occurs.
You and your Veteran can also create a safety plan. It can look like the Veteran coming up with something like:
“When I’m in a manic phase, I can’t make safe decisions. If you see me doing X, Y, or Z, please take me to the hospital.”
The first step is to sit down with your Veteran and have a candid conversation with them about their well-being.
We at Worried About a Veteran are with you every step of the way to ensure the Veteran in your life is safe and on the road to a thriving life.
Catherine Barber is a Senior Researcher at the Harvard Injury Control Research Center, a co-founder of the original Gun Shop Project (a collaboration among gun owners, suicide prevention advocates, and mental health professionals), and led the pilot for the National Violent Death Reporting System. She is a consultant for the WAV initiative.
