Mental Health Resources Edit page

Resident Mental or Health Decline

⚠️ What to Do — Step-by-Step

1. Focus on Behavior, Not Diagnosis. Only act on observable safety or rule violations. Do not try to diagnose conditions like Dementia, Hoarding Disorder or other mental illness.
2. Document Specific Incidents. Keep a dated log of behaviors (e.g., wandering, leaving stove on, aggression). Stick to facts only.
3. Act if There's Immediate Danger. If the resident poses a risk to self or others, call 911. Emergency responders are trained to help.
4. Report to Adult Protective Services (APS). If there's concern about neglect, vulnerability, or self-harm, contact APS: 📞 1-800-962-2873 or reportabuse.dcf.state.fl.us
5. Contact Family or Emergency Contact — If Known. If the association has a listed emergency contact, you may notify them of safety-related incidents.
   ✅ Focus on facts, not assumptions.
   ❌ Do not share confidential records or discuss medical conditions.
   ❌ Do not contact unlisted relatives unless there is an immediate safety concern and you've consulted legal counsel.
6. Consult Association Legal Counsel. Before taking steps like restricting access or suggesting removal, seek legal advice to avoid liability or discrimination claims.

🚫 What Not to Do

• Don’t diagnose or discuss possible health conditions.
• Don’t contact doctors or outside parties unless legally authorized.
• Don’t treat the resident differently based on health concerns.
• Don’t attempt eviction or removal without proper legal process.

⚖️ Legal Notes

• Fair Housing Act: Protects residents with disabilities from discrimination.
• Florida Statute §415.1034: Allows voluntary reporting of vulnerable adults.

REMEMBER: Your role is to protect the community, not to intervene medically. When in doubt, document facts, report danger, and call your attorney.

Mental Health Resources

The Victim Advocate for BSO assigned to our area is Rosemary Baker 954-321-4743. She is part of a national network of local crisis responders and has been the most helpful and willing to come out to offer services at CVE. They offer free weekly online group support and other services 954-321-4743. 

The role of a victim advocate is to help with emotional trauma resulting from a crime and the physical welfare of the victims and witnesses. They provide crisis intervention, short-term counseling and referrals, criminal justice information, court support and emergency assistance for shelter, food and basic physical needs arising from being victimized. ⠀

Henderson Behavioral Health Services (emergency, anytime): 954-606-0911.   Mobile Crisis Response Teams (MRT) are available 24/7 for people experiencing emotional crises.

Response teams provide immediate on-site assessment, crisis intervention, counseling, referrals, follow-ups to promote crisis resolution and evaluation, and inpatient hospitalization if needed. BSO automatically calls them after a crime to support victims and families.

Henderson Behavioral Health Services:(non-emergency) 954-731-1000 (North Broward) 954-791-4300 (Central Broward). Open Mon.-Fri.  Henderson charges a fee, but no one is denied services due to an inability to pay.

Chrysalis Mental Health Agency: 954-587-1008; Open Mon-Fri. They specialize in grief counseling, especially for family member deaths. They offer a wide variety of services dealing with substance abuse, wellness recovery, and mental health disorders. Chrysalis is a fee-based service agency accepting several commercial and Medicaid insurance plans.