Upon reaching the scene of a behavioral emergency involving a teenager, what should you do next?

Identifying yourself and explaining that you are there to help is crucial in a behavioral emergency involving a teenager. Establishing a connection and reassuring the individual that you are there to provide assistance can help de-escalate tension and foster trust. Your presence and intent to offer help can contribute to a more calm and cooperative atmosphere, which is vital in a high-stress scenario.

Effectively engaging with the teenager can also facilitate better communication, allowing you to assess their needs and emotional state more accurately. This can be critical in determining the appropriate steps to take next, whether that involves providing immediate support, gathering more information about the situation, or calling for additional resources if needed.

While assessing the crowd for safety and calling for backup are important considerations, they should support the primary objective of providing care and support to the individual in the crisis. Leaving the situation could worsen feelings of abandonment or distress for the teenager, potentially escalating the emotional crisis instead of mitigating it.