Reporting Adult Welfare Issues
When you encounter an adult who seems to be in trouble there are a wide variety of resources available, depending on the particular problem. A mentally ill, chemically dependent, or otherwise vulnerable adult can be given assistance.
Approaching an adult in crisis
- If you feel comfortable approaching the person, talk with him or her, and offer assistance. A person in crisis might welcome your help. If the person has family (e.g. adult children, siblings, or parents) you can contact them. A neighbor or church nearby may provide some helpful information or assistance.
- If you are afraid or unwilling to approach this person, call 911. A police officer can respond and evaluate the situation. The person in trouble can be taken to Crisis Intervention at Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) or Hennepin County Detox (if the person is intoxicated), at the discretion of the police officer only. Police officers are not able to do this except in cases of extreme immediate emergency.
Resources Available
If you as a neighbor, friend, or other interested person are unable to contact a family member and the situation doesn't seem to justify police crisis intervention, there are still many possible sources of help.
Hennepin County Adult Protection
Veterans' Affairs Medical Center
United Way 211, 651-291-0211, can provide information about a wide variety of advocacy organizations that might be able to assist. (For example, the Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) works with developmentally disabled people.)
Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support
Occasionally, there may also be large numbers of dogs, cats, or other pets that are creating a health hazard. Call Minneapolis Animal Control at 612-348-4250, Animal Care & Control, for animal-related concerns.
Last updated Sep. 27, 2011