We're currently performing maintenance to enhance your experience. The site is still accessible, but some features may not be at their best. Thank you for your understanding!

Mental Health Division

MHO 4201 Sign Up

Payment for the training is due on the first day of class.

At this time, we only accept checks or money orders. Checks should be made out to Mental Health America of Greater Houston. In the memo space, please notate HPD-CIT.

Receipts will be provided on site.

MHO 4201 Registration

The 4201 Mental Health Officer training requires a pretest.

To be eligible to sign up, you must complete the quiz with a minimum score of 80%.

THIS CLASS IS STILL IN DEVELOPMENT AND IS NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR REGISTRATION.

Agency

What is the primary goal when dealing with a person in a mental health crisis?

Use verbal commands only

Establish absolute control

Ensure immediate hospitalization

Establish rapport and encourage voluntary compliance

Which of the following is a core component of de-escalation?

Establishing command presence

Active listening and rapport-building

Speaking loudly to ensure compliance

Immediately detaining the person

Which of the following is NOT a sign of a mental health crisis?

Extreme agitation

Talking to oneself

Disorientation and poor hygiene

Calm and cooperative demeanor

What does the 80/20 rule suggest in crisis communication?

Officers should listen 80% of the time and talk 20%

Officers should only use 20% of their training in de-escalation

People in crisis speak 80% of the time

Officers should talk 80% of the time and listen 20%

What is the best response when engaging with an agitated individual in crisis?

Move closer and increase volume

Engage with open-ended questions, active listening, and a non-threatening posture

Demand compliance immediately

Stand with arms crossed for a strong presence

What is the best way to show someone in crisis that you are listening and understanding their experience?

Changing the topic to help them focus on something positive

Giving advice based on similar experiences you’ve had

Acknowledging and validating their experiences and emotions

Using verbal commands

What is the significance of the Emotional-Rational Thinking Scale?

It shows that as emotions rise, rational thinking declines

It indicates people in crisis cannot make decisions

It suggests officers should always remain neutral

It predicts violence in individuals

Which phrase is an example of tactical transparency in communication?

'I want to help you, and for that, I need to understand what you're going through.'

'You need to calm down now.'

'I don’t have time for this conversation.'

'We can do this the easy way or the hard way.'

Under Texas Health and Safety Code 573.001, what must an officer believe to conduct a warrantless apprehension for emergency detention?

The person has refused medication

The person has been arrested before

The person is displaying signs & symptoms of a mental illness and poses a substantial risk of serious harm

The person is annoying others in public

10.

Which of the following is NOT a primary function of a Mental Health Officer (MHO)?

Assisting with jail diversion strategies

Providing legal and procedural guidance

Diagnosing mental illness

Coordinating with community mental health resources

11.

What is the role of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in mental health crisis response?

It replaces an emergency detention order

It establishes formal agreements with mental health agencies for crisis intervention

It allows law enforcement to diagnose individuals

It mandates that officers take all individuals in crisis to jail

12.

According to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 16.23, what must officers consider when encountering a person with mental illness who has committed a non-violent misdemeanor?

They must consider diversion to mental health treatment whenever appropriate

They must arrest the individual

They must refer them to a state hospital for forced admission

They must call for immediate SWAT assistance

16.

An officer responds to a call about a person pacing and talking to themselves. They appear anxious and paranoid. What is the best initial approach?

Move in quickly to detain them for their safety

Speak calmly, introduce yourself, and ask how you can help

Ignore them, as they are not committing a crime

Order them to stop moving immediately

17.

A woman in distress is in a store, screaming about voices telling her to hurt herself. What is the best response?

Give her plenty of space, avoid rushing, and engage in a calm conversation while calling for assistance

Tell her she is being unreasonable

Yell commands for her to stop making a scene

Handcuff her immediately to prevent self-harm

18.

An officer responds to a call where an individual is exhibiting symptoms of psychosis, such as paranoia and hallucinations. The officer suspects the individual may be under the influence of drugs, but this is uncertain. The officer should:

Decide the behavior is drug-induced and arrest the individual for Public Intoxication, as their behavior is dangerous

Decide the behavior is drug-induced and transport the individual to a sobering/recovery center

Ask the individual to calm down and determine if they can go home safely

Transport the individual to the hospital and complete a Notification of Emergency Detention (EDO) form so medical professionals can determine the cause and provide appropriate treatment

19.

An individual experiencing a mental health crisis suddenly stops engaging with you and appears withdrawn. What should you consider?

They are ignoring you and should be left alone

They may be experiencing a flat affect, hallucinations, or a potential shift towards suicidal ideation

They are manipulating the situation

They are finally calming down

20.

An officer determines on scene that an individual meets the criteria for emergency detention and is a substantial risk of harm to themselves based on Texas Health and Safety Code 573.001. However, the individual is currently cooperative and states they want treatment. The officer should:

Transport the individual to the hospital for voluntary admission only

Transport the individual to the hospital and complete the Notification of Emergency Detention (EDO) form anyway

Take no action since the individual is currently cooperative

Allow the individual to transport themself to the hospital to check in voluntarily