Apple Valley Police Respond To Mental Health Crisis

APPLE VALLEY, MN — Apple Valley police responded to a crisis call earlier this month involving a woman with a mental health issue. On Feb. 2, officers came to a home to help a father with his daughter.

Officers spoke with the woman, who told them she was feeling well and did not need assistance. The woman eventually agreed to allow her father to take her to a hospital for evaluation.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, here are 10 warning signs to watch for a person who may be struggling with a mental health crisis:

1. Feeling very sad, withdrawn or unmotivated for more than two weeks.
2. Making plans or trying to harm or kill oneself.
3. Out-of-control, risk-taking behaviors.
4. Sudden overwhelming fear for no reason, sometimes with a racing heart or fast breathing.
5. Not eating, throwing up or using laxatives to lose weight; significant weight loss or weight gain.
6. Severe mood swings causing problems in relationships.
7. Excess use of drugs or alcohol.
8. Drastic changes in behavior, personality or sleeping habits.
9. Extreme difficulty in concentrating or staying still.
10. Intense worries or fears getting in the way of daily activities like hanging out with friends or going to classes.

For anyone having a crisis, the National Suicide Lifeline is (800) 273-TALK (8255).