Report page 64

BTAUs must also be prepared to share information with treatment providers.

While HIPAA may restrict the provider from sharing information in return, the BTAU may be able to share information obtained during a behavioral threat assessment with the provider.

This information could be used by the provider to inform the evaluation and treatment plan for the individual of concern.

Mental health providers can support management by: • providing behavioral therapy; • assessing the individual’s risk of harming self or others from a clinical perspective; • developing a mental health treatment plan; • assisting in the development of the BTAU’s case management plan; • prescribing medication; and • offering referrals for additional resources.

Family members of an individual of concern can be allies during the management planning and implementation process, as they are well-positioned to identify when a loved one is experiencing a crisis or when the individual’s concerning behavior is escalating.

For management planning, the BTAU should strategize about the role that the family may be able to play in initiating interventions, information sharing, and supporting the intervention plan.

BTAUs may want to educate families that the unit’s primary goal is to help support their loved one and, ideally, preempt any escalation toward violent or criminal behavior.

As was the case during the assessment phase, building and maintaining a positive rapport with the individual’s family is critical.

Family members can support management by: • petitioning for mental health commitments; • petitioning for ERPOs; • providing supervision and observing behavior in the home; • voluntarily securing weapons, thereby restricting weapons access; • assisting with transportation to treatment sessions; • providing insight into treatment compliance and progress; and • notifying the BTAU of behavioral changes or escalation of behaviors.