What to do in a Crisis Situation

         If you have a crisis situation where a person is a danger to him or herself, you can call the DeKalb CSB Central Access Line at 404-892-4646 anytime 24/7 for help and advice. If necessary, the Mobile Crisis Center with its own-labeled patrol car can go to your home 7 days a week from 1:30 to 9:30pm. Two psychiatric nurses take turns to go with DeKalb police to answer calls from 911 or the Central Access Line. Families receive guidance and are given an approximate arrival time. The nurse will make a psychiatric assessment on site and decide if hospitalization is necessary. Consumers cannot be hospitalized against their will unless the family has a lay affidavit (called 10-13 in police jargon). To get one of these “orders”, you have to go to the office of the Probate Court at the County Courthouse in Decatur. You and a witness (it can be the nurse) must testify that you have seen the consumer in the last 48 hours and that he/she is a threat to himself or others. The order is good for 7 days. Children and adolescents are accessed but not hospitalized
         A Community Support Team, or ACT Team, follows patients after discharge to make sure they meet their appointments at the various Mental Health Centers.
         The Crisis Center is a 42-bed hospital operates like an “ER” for mentally ill with police steadily bringing in new cases. The 23 Hour Unit has a staff of a clinical nurse specialist, nurse, and social worker, who monitor and access simpler cases. They are let go the next day. All patients with any kind of insurance are given the option of going to other hospitals that offer psychiatric care. If the family prefers to have the Crisis Center treat the patient, the administration will gladly work with families on a sliding scale.