What would you do if your bi-polar ex started to threaten to kill people

[Roon]

and then started naming his targets that he is going to kill? He is so sick, can't get meds because there is no mental health program for low income people here in colorado. He is crying out for help.

I called the police..I hated doing it but now I am libel if he hurts someone.

Did I do the right thing or am I a rat fink?

[Ptah]

1. Sounds like you did the right thing, Roon.

:thumbsup:

[fizzgig]

you absolutely did the right thing

can he get help through the county? i'm bipolar and the only way i can see a doc and get my meds is through the county's mental health and prescription assistance programs (i'm up in larimer co.).

and who told you you were liable if he hurts anyone?

[NightWatcher]

2. trying to help him before he hurts someone or himself??? you are no fink

I've been right there with ya, having to deal with mental illness.

Dealing with mental health issues is tough, but you knew what to do and you did it. Hope it will be ok.

[Taverner]

3. You did the right thing

And jeez, that really sucks to be in that situation!

[kimi]

4. Absolutely the right thing

If something happened, you know that you tried.

[GoCubsGo]

5. I concur with the others

You did the right thing. Since he named names, you might consider letting the "targets" know, too. Also, you might be able to find some help for him at the state hospital in Pueblo: http://www.cdhs.state.co.us/cmhip/index.htm. I knew someone who worked there most of his adult life. It's a good place.

I am another who does not understand how you are liable for what he does, especially after notifying law enforcement about him.

[Roon]

6. The police just left

they are going to pay him a visit, warn him about making death threats, and then tell him how to get mental health help. Someone told me that it's a lie, you can't get mental health here in Colorado no matter what the police say.

[fizzgig]

7. whoever told you that you can't get mental health care here isn't correct

i have and still do.

this might be a good place to start http://www.mhcd.org/

i'd also suggest contacting the county's health and human services office

[UTUSN]

8. 1-Totally correct to call cops. 2-NOT correct no m.h. services. 3-Cops totally wrong. (More)

Without even knowing public services there are in whatever state, and despite the gaps in all kinds of services---I am 99% certain that there are mental health services in every state. If somebody proves me wrong concretely, I will apologize.

There is something called Protective Services for the elderly AND Disabled adults (totally separate from Child Protective Services), state programs in every state that are supposed to investigate abuse, neglect, SELF-neglect, and financial exploitation----and after "investigating" are supposed to make referrals to social resources. But for emergencies, calling the cops is TOTALLY the way to go.

For the cops to respond ONLY with verbal threats like "Don't do that or we'll arrest you" is totally inappropriate, useless, and CRIMINALLY IRRESPONSIBLE. Persons in altered mental conditions do not "get" that. It is not TREATMENT, fer Zeus's sake!1

******ON EDIT: Just re-read what you said the cops said, that they would TELL him how to access mental health services, so I mis-read that but won't change the immediately preceding paragraph. Whoever told you m.h. is NOT available, ask the COUNTY, the GOVERNOR's OFFICE, not that person. :END OF EDIT**************

Persons with the illness you describe definitely MIGHT follow through on threats.

You have nothing to feel bad about in calling the police. As somebody else said, you might need to notify the targets. But even now, if the cops did what you say and just left, you need to call somebody else.

There are COUNTY COURTS that handle involuntary (mental health) commitments. The cops/deputies can do it through detention; Protective Services can do it; individuals (you) can start the process. Protective Services people might ask you to testify as a witness.

[UTUSN]

11. Let me clean up my post:

1- Has this person been diagnosed as "bi-polar"? If so, then he got *some* kind of mental health treatment SOMEwhere.

2- If that is his correct diagnosis, he's supposed to be on medications. Has he ever been on medications? If so, again, this means he has gotten mental health treatment SOMEwhere.

3- Patients with that diagnosis (sometimes? Often?) get to a place in their minds where they refuse to keep taking the meds and therefore deteriorate into the uncontrolled behaviors.

4- No, "arresting" mental health patients in a law enforcement context is NOT appropriate--that is, not as a criminal (unless they actually commit crimes, whereupon an "insanity" defense would be likely).

5- The role of law enforcement would be to detain somebody imminently threatening self or others, for the purpose of transporting to a mental health facility for a psychiatric evaluation--NOT to be JAILED as a criminal.

6- The evaluation would result in either releasing the person if he's not that bad, or, the patient's accepting treatment voluntarily, or if it's bad enough, for the mental health staff to petition the court for INVOLUNTARY treatment.

"Giving somebody a SHOT" just to subdue them, is NOT an option.

And really, heavy duty professional advice from strangers on an internet discussion board ain't where it's at.

[theNotoriousP.I.G.]

9. You did the right thing

without a doubt. If he is a danger to himself or others, he needs to be in a safe place where they can monitor him. Don't feel guilty for one more second Roon. :hug:

[GreenPartyVoter]

10. You did the right thing. Maybe if he got arrested the court could order him to be given

a shot of Zyprexa?? (Not that I want him arrested, but it was the only way I could think of getting him some meds unless someone can find some money somewhere. :cry:)

Just saw your update. I hope that he can get some info to help him, and just as importantly that he follows up on it. (Something bipolar people don't always do, as I can attest.)

[Odin2005]

12. You did the right thing.

Some men with Bipolar I can get VERY violent when they are manic.

[WT Fuheck]

13. it depends on which people.

[Capn Sunshine]

14. You did the right thing

I hope it ends well. Have you considered committing him? As an ex, I think you can