06-04 Person In Crisis

Question 1

What does the Mental Health Act (MHA) provide for?

Answer 1

Treatment and apprehension of persons in crisis.

Question 2

What is the role of police officers concerning mental health or substance use issues?

Answer 2

To respond appropriately to the behaviors and circumstances they observe.

Question 3

Define ‘person in crisis’.

Answer 3

A member of the public whose behavior brings them into contact with emergency services due to a mental, emotional, or substance use crisis.

Question 4

A person in crisis may require assessment under the ______.

Answer 4

[Mental Health Act]

Question 5

What is the goal of the Toronto Police Service concerning individuals experiencing mental health issues?

Answer 5

Zero deaths and ensuring well-being, safety, rights, and dignity.

Question 6

What steps is the Service committed to taking in every encounter?

Answer 6

Assess, de-escalate and safely resolve the situation.

Question 7

What does Section 17 of the MHA allow police officers to do?

Answer 7

Take a person into custody for examination if they believe the person is acting disorderly and suffering from a mental disorder.

Question 8

What must a police officer believe to invoke Section 17 of the MHA?

Answer 8

The person is a threat to themselves or others, or lacks competence to care for themselves.

Question 9

What is no longer required for police officers to form reasonable grounds for apprehension?

Answer 9

Direct observation of the person’s behavior.

Question 10

What must a police officer do when taking a person in custody to a psychiatric facility according to Section 33 of the MHA?

Answer 10

Remain at the facility and retain custody until the facility takes charge.

Question 11

What is the purpose of the Safe Beds Program?

Answer 11

To connect community members to supports, improving quality of life and reducing future emergency service needs.

Question 12

What is the Community Referral Police Access Line used for?

Answer 12

Providing assistance to police officers dealing with individuals in crisis.

Question 13

What are the conditions for making a referral for a safe bed?

Answer 13

Consent of the person in crisis must be obtained.

Question 14

What does the Mobile Crisis Intervention Team (MCIT) program involve?

Answer 14

A mental health nurse and a police officer responding to mental health crises.

Question 15

What age group requires a referral to a Children’s Aid Society (CAS) when in crisis?

Answer 15

Sixteen (16) or seventeen (17) years of age.

Question 16

Define ‘Community Treatment Order (CTO)’.

Answer 16

An order issued by a physician providing psychiatric treatment in the community.

Question 17

What does ‘disorderly’ behavior mean according to the MHA?

Answer 17

Behavior that appears to be irrational although not unruly.

Question 18

What is a Form 1 MHA?

Answer 18

Application by Physician for Psychiatric Assessment signed by a doctor.

Question 19

What is a Form 2 MHA?

Answer 19

Justice of the Peace Order for Examination directing police to take a person to a psychiatric facility.

Question 20

What is a Form 9 MHA?

Answer 20

Order for Return of an elopee authorizing police to return a person to a psychiatric facility.

Question 21

What is the definition of ‘mental disorder’?

Answer 21

Any disease or disability of the mind.

Question 22

What does the term ‘psychiatric facility’ refer to?

Answer 22

A facility for the observation, care and treatment of persons suffering from a mental disorder.

Question 23

What constitutes a ‘traumatic critical incident’?

Answer 23

An incident involving serious injury, death, mass casualties, or threats to a member’s life.

Question 24

What does the Divisional Mental Health Liaison Officer (DMHLO) do?

Answer 24

Coordinates community mental health needs and resources within the division.