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DERAILED: MENTAL ILLNESS AND HOUSING RETENTION John Turner, Housing Coordinator, Region V Systems Kristin Nelson, Emergency Services Director, Region V Systems
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DERAILED: MENTAL ILLNESS AND HOUSING RETENTIONJohn Turner, Housing Coordinator, Region V Systems
Kristin Nelson, Emergency Services Director, Region V Systems
Region V Systems Housing Coordination
Brief History of Regional Housing Coordination John Turner - Housing Coordinator since 2005 Almost 2,000 consumers served and over 650
landlord contracts signed in a 16 county coverage area
Target Population is consumers with extremely low incomes who have been diagnosed with a serious and persistent mental illness
Where does funding come from? Documentary Stamp Tax Affordable Housing Trust Fund State Housing Related Assistance Program
Regional Housing Coordinators
Region Coordinator Contact Information Phone & Email
Region 1
David JonesRegional Housing Program Coordinator18 West 16th StreetScottsbluff, NE 69361
David [email protected], ext. 2183
Region 2
Jeannette KrajewskiWest Central Nebraska Joint Housing AuthorityPO Box 599Ogallala, NE 69153
Region 3
Suzanne DavisRegional Housing Program CoordinatorRegion 3 Behavioral Health ServicesPO Box 2555Kearney, NE 68848-2555
308-237-5113, ext. [email protected]
Region 4
Matthew NykodymRegional Housing CoordinatorRegion IV Behavioral Health Systems206 Monroe AvenueNorfolk, NE 68701
402-316-1780, ext. [email protected]
Region 5
John TurnerHousing SpecialistRegion V Systems1645 N Street Suite ALincoln, NE 68508
Region 6
Jennifer DetermanRegional Housing CoordinatorRegion 6 Behavioral Health Services3801 Harney StreetOmaha, NE 68131
Region V SystemsHousing Coordination
Rental Assistance Program (RAP) Modeled after Section 8 Transition to Permanent Housing Urban and Rural – 16 counties Expansion - RAP Substance Dependence
(RAP SD) RAP SD is in Lincoln ONLY HUD Funding Continuum Of Care
Region V SystemsHousing Coordination
Rural Permanent Housing Program HUD Balance of State Continuum of Care 20 counties (added four counties)
Director of Emergency ServicesSo what do you do?
Kristin Nelson, LCSW, LIMHP Worked in behavioral health for 20 years
My Top Priorities: To organize, coordinate, and evaluate the
regional behavioral health emergency services system
To bring together key stakeholders to address ongoing gaps and increase system outcomes
Training BETA, MHFA, 101 Trainings on System, Outreach
Mental Health Emergency
A mental health emergency is a life threatening situation in which an individual is imminently threatening harm to self or others, severely disoriented or out of touch with reality, has a severe inability to function, or is otherwise distraught and out of control.
Mental Health Emergency (cont) Examples of a Mental Health
Emergency include: Acting on a suicide threat Homicidal or threatening behavior Self-injury needing immediate medical
attention Severely impaired by drugs or alcohol Highly erratic or unusual behavior that
indicates very unpredictable behavior and/or an inability to care for themselves.
Nebraska MH Commitment Act
A law enforcement officer who has probable cause to believe that a person is mentally ill and dangerous or a dangerous sex offender and that the harm described in section 71-908 or subdivision (1) of section 83-174.01 is likely to occur before mental health board proceedings under the Nebraska Mental Health Commitment Act or the Sex Offender Commitment Act may be initiated to obtain custody of the person may take such person into emergency protective custody, cause him or her to be taken into emergency protective custody, or continue his or her custody if he or she is already in custody.
Region V Emergency System
Teamwork is essential
IT TAKES A VILLAGE
Cases
Solutions
Introduce yourself
Use a triangular approach
State why you are there
Only one person should interact with the person
Acknowledge they may be overwhelmed by delusions, paranoia, or hallucinations and fearful
Comply with requests unless they are unsafe or unreasonable
If acting erratically, but not directly threatening, allow them time to calm down
Solutions continued
Be honest -- Getting caught in a well-intentioned deception will only increase their fear and suspicion of you
Continually assess the situation Remove anything or anyone that is disturbing the
individual Maintain adequate space between you and them Determine whether they have a family member, guardian,
or mental health provider who helps them (ask if an Advance Directive exists for the person in crisis)
Remember that a person with mental illness has the same rights to fair treatment and legal protection as anyone else
Solutions continued
Do not touch the person until you are ready to take him/her into custody
Avoid direct eye contact Avoid sudden or rapid movements Avoid whispering or joking, this will only increase the
person’s suspiciousness Don’t make promises you cannot keep Deceiving the person will increase fear and suspicion Keep your voice low, calm, and slow so they can process
your commands Don’t challenge or argue with them about their delusions
and don’t take them personally Call the police if needed
The Moral to the Story
Teamwork Communication Mental illness does not equal
dangerousness. People can and do recover with the right kind of support. Your efforts to recognize behaviors and speak up when you have concerns can be a tremendous help in the recovery process.
Questions?
