When assisting a young person in a severe psychotic state, you should try to remain as calm as possible. It is important to communicate in a clear and concise manner and use short, simple sentences to the sufferer. Speak gently in a non-threatening way, and at a moderate environment.
If the young person asks you questions, answer them calmly. You should act in accordance with their requests unless if they are unsafe or unreasonable condition. This will gives a rooms of opportunity to feel somewhat in control.
If the young person has an advance directive or relapse prevention plan, you should follow those instructions. You should also evaluate whether it is safe for the person to be alone. If not, you should ensure that someone stays with them.
Try to find out if the young person has someone they trust, this could be friends or family and try to engage their help. If the young person says they have no one they trust, you may need to contact their parents or another caregiver against their wishes. If this becomes necessary, tell the young person who you are calling, explain that it is for their own safety, and that you care about them.
It is possible that the young person might act upon a delusion or hallucination. Remember that your primary aims is to reduced the situation and therefore you should not do anything to further agitate the person. Try to maintain safety and protect yourself, the young person and others around you from harm. It may help to invite the young person to sit down. Make sure their isthat provion for an exit.
Sometime it is not possible to de-escalate the situation and if this is the case, you should be prepared to call for help from emergency services. If this becomes necessary, convey specific, concise observations about the young person's behavior and symptoms. When any stranger arrive, explain to the person who they are and how they are going to help. However, if your major concerns about the young person are dismissed by the services you contact, you should p in trying to seek support for them.
Get involved, You may save a life!