DPSST Mental Health and Crisis Intervention Flashcards

In DPSST training, which acronym is often used to assess a subject's mental status during a crisis call?

Answer: MOAB (Management of Aggressive Behavior)

MOAB (Management of Aggressive Behavior) is a framework taught in DPSST training for assessing and managing subjects who may become violent.

DPSST training on suicide intervention instructs officers to:

Answer: Remove potential means of self-harm when safely possible

Safely removing access to means of self-harm (weapons, medications) reduces lethality while officers work to de-escalate the situation.

Under DPSST standards, which statement best describes the purpose of Mobile Crisis Teams (MCTs)?

Answer: Co-responder teams pairing officers with mental health clinicians for crisis calls

MCTs pair law enforcement officers with mental health clinicians to provide a more comprehensive and therapeutic response to crisis calls.

DPSST emphasizes that officers should avoid which common error when dealing with a person experiencing delusions?

Answer: Arguing with the person about whether their beliefs are real

Arguing about the reality of delusions is ineffective and can escalate the person's distress; officers should acknowledge the feelings without reinforcing false beliefs.

According to DPSST crisis intervention principles, 'verbal judo' refers to:

Answer: Using words strategically to redirect and defuse a volatile situation

Verbal judo is the practice of using strategic communication—tone, word choice, empathy—to redirect a subject away from conflict.

When a person in mental health crisis refuses voluntary transport to a treatment facility, DPSST officers should:

Answer: Assess whether legal criteria for an involuntary hold are met

Officers must assess whether the legal criteria for an involuntary civil commitment hold are satisfied before taking someone against their will.