Aggressive behaviour events Most people with poor mental health, including young people, are not dangerous to others – only a small proportion of violence in society is due to mental health. Depression and anxiety have little or no association with violent behaviours towards others. When a person experiencing a psychotic episode is aggressive, it is generally out of fear causing the person to believe they are acting out of self-defence. The misuse of alcohol or other drugs has a stronger association with violence. Aggression has different components to it. It can be verbal (e.g. insults or threats), behavioural (e.g. hitting objects or walls, throwing things, or invading someone’s personal space), or emotional (e.g. raised voice, person looks angry). Crisis Youth MHFA Ensure your own personal safety. If you are concerned that a young person is becoming aggressive, take steps to protect yourself and others. Don’t get involved physically to restrain them, unless in self-defence. Never put yourself at risk and always ensure you have access to an exit. Assess for emergency services help. If the young person’s aggression escalates out of control at any time, you should remove yourself from the situation and call for help from emergency services by ringing 999. If you believe the aggression is related to poor mental health, try to make this clear in your call. Describe the young person’s symptoms and behaviours clearly rather than trying to make a diagnosis of your own. Always tell the police if the person does or does not have a weapon. Emergency services
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