Mental health professional discusses options for those in a crisis

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — This week  we learned more about the days that led up to the disappearance of Ebonee Spears. Harriet Rivers, Spears’ mother, said they were trying to get her help because they were concerned about her mental health.

“She was a whole different person, she wasn’t of her right mind. She wasn’t looking good, she was looking like she was tired, all worn out, like she wasn’t looking like herself,” said Rivers.

Rivers said she and the rest of the family were growing concerned about Spears’ mental health.

“What is happening with her? I can’t get her the help I know she needs,” said Rivers.

Even though Rivers said she was concerned about her daughter’s mental state she said she still believes Ebonee was abducted.

But what can you do if you’re concerned about a loved one’s mental health?

Pepper O’Bryant, a therapist at Community Support Professionals, said there are options. Community Support Professionals provide support and assistance to individuals with mental health needs and substance abuse challenges. O’Bryant said it is important to see help through community services, health organizations or hotlines.

“We always put together a plan, a crisis plan, an action plan in place so that person has something to go to,” said O’Bryant.

And if a situation gets really bad O’Bryant said an involuntary commitment is an option. She said it is often referred to as IVC.

“The commitment is a situation of a danger to yourself or to someone else,” said O’Bryant.

O’Bryant said someone close to the person can go to the magistrate to get forms for an IVC. However, O’Bryant said there has to be hard evidence the person is going to harm themselves or others.

“There has to be an intent, a plan, and means in order for them to justify taking someone, and having them actually evaluated by a doctor and determining that they need to be hospitalized in-patient,” said O’Bryant.

O’Bryant said going through this process for a loved one can be difficult.

“It is very anxiety provoking. People can suffer from guilt because they don’t want this person to get mad at them, and sometimes a feeling of that they have somehow have failed them,” said O’Bryant.