Responding to Individuals with Mental Illnesses is designed as a comprehensive guide for recognizing mental illnesses and responding to people affected by these disorders, especially during times of crises. This text describes the signs and symptoms of a variety of psychiatric illnesses, substance use disorders, and developmental disabilities that may be most frequently encountered by first responders, public safety officials, and professionals in the criminal justice system.

Many of the chapters deal with specific categories of mental illnesses and provide basic skills to enhance interactions with people who have these disorders and who may be facing stressful situations. This practical guide aims to enhance the knowledge and skills for non-mental health professionals who interact with individuals with such illnesses.