Most people who have little or no experience dealing with persons in mental health crisis may be fearful and uncertain as to how best to help a person in this position.

 

Unfortunately, popular media (television, in particular) do not always present an accurate portrayal of the symptoms of mental illness and the best response to persons suffering from a mental health crisis – leading to some common misconceptions about the level of dangerousness of people in crisis and corresponding need for aggressive force in response.