How to Protect a Mentally Ill Person From Abuse
Abuse of any kind is bad, but for the mentally ill it is even worse. Mentally ill people in most cases cannot tell you if they are being abused. Mentally ill people that live at home or in an institution should always be treated with respect and should never have to be subject to abuse of any kind. It is the law in most states to report any possible abuse of the mentally ill.
- Mentally ill people that you suspect are being abused should be watched very carefully. Look for signs of abuse like marks or bruises. Other ways to tell if there is abuse is to check if the mentally ill person has worn the same clothes for many days in a row. Mentally ill people in some cases do not have the ability to tell you if something is wrong.
- Call 911 if you suspect anyone is being abused or threatened. Police departments take this very seriously and will investigate the situation.
- Contact the local Department of Health and Human Services agency’s if you suspect a mentally ill person is being abused. The Department of Health and Human Services can help investigate the problem as long as it is not life threatening. Life threatening abuse should always be reported to the police first call 911 image by Empath from Fotolia.com
- Abuse that happens in an assistant living facility should be reported to the manger of that facility. If management does not investigate the situation report it to his or her supervisors. If all else fails you can report the abuse to the head of the assisted living facility.
- Talk to the person you feel is being abused. Communicate with the mentally ill person but be careful in most cases they do not have a firm grasp on reality and could misunderstand what you are saying.