Adult Loved Ones In Crisis: What Can Be Done?

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By Natalie Travis

Story Created: Mar 1, 2011 at 9:24 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Mar 1, 2011 at 9:24 PM AKDT

 ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTVA-CBS 11 News) How can Alaskans, help adult family members in crisis who don't want help?

Unfortunately officials say if the person in need is an adult...there's not much that can be done. From mental illness to substance abuse, what to do if your adult loved one suffers from these afflictions can be a huge problem. Intervention is one way officials suggest approaching the issue. "Hopefully in that setting a person can come to terms with what's going on in their life and it can help penetrate their denial that's preventing them from getting help," said David Telford, MD, Director for Adult Mental Health and Psychiatric Emergency Department for Providence Hospital. If you have reasonable concerns for an adult family member, another option would be to go to court and seek an ex parte order, which can be a lengthy process. The order would allow police to pick up the family member involuntarily and take them to the Anchorage Psychiatric Institute. After that, your loved one can only be held for three days unless officials decide to extend the stay. If you need help immediately, dial 911. "If it gets to the point where, again, there's danger involved or someone might hurt themselves, then it's best just to call 911 and the police and/or paramedics will bring them to the hospital," said Telford. For children on the cusp of turning 18 years old, there is another option that's not very well known. Parents or caretakers can apply for guardianship to continue after the child is a legal adult. The Family Guardianship Program and the Office of Public Advocacy can assist in this procedure. Family Guardianship Program

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