If the young person become aggressive, ensure your own safety at all times. Remain as calm as possible and try to abate the situation.
Take any threats or warnings seriously, particularly if the young person believes they are being persecuted. If you are startle or scared, kindly seek outside help immediately.
You should never put yourself at risk and you must always ensure you have access to an exit. Similarly, if the person's aggression escalates out of control at any time, you should remove yourself from the situation and call for emergency assistance (e.g. the mental health crisis team or the police).
If you believe that the aggression is related to a mental health problem, you may need to call the mental health crisis team. If you do so, it is best to describe the person's symptoms and behaviors rather than trying to make a diagnosis of your own. Be aware that the mental health crisis team may not attend without a police presence.
If you situation becomes unsafe, it may be necessary to involve the police. If you suspect that the person's aggression is related to a mental health problem, to assist the police in their response, you should tell them that this is the case and that you need their help to obtain medical treatment and to control the young person's aggressive behavior. If the young person is intoxicated, and it becomes necessary to call the police, tell them that you believe the young person is intoxicated, and what substances you believe have been used. In either case, you should tell the police whether or not the person is armed.
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How To De-escalate the situation:
▪Speak to the person in a polite way and confidently with a gentle, caring tone of voice.
▪Do not respond in a hostile, disciplinary or challenging manner.
▪Do not argue with or threaten the young person as this may increase fear or prompt aggressive behavior.
▪Avoid raising your voice or talking too fast.
▪Be aware that the young person may overreact to negative words; therefore, use positive words (such as 'stay calm') instead of negative words (such as 'don't fight').
▪Avoid nervous behavior (e.g. shuffling your feet, fidgeting, making abrupt movements).
▪Do not restrict the young person's movement (e.g. if he or she wants to pace up and down the room).
▪Remain aware that if the person's aggression is caused by fear or psychotic symptoms, this might be exacerbated if you take certain steps (e.g. involve the police).
▪Have a break from the conversation to allow the young person a chance to calm down.
▪Invite the young person to sit down if they are standing.