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If someone needs immediate help with violent agitation, use emergency mode.
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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person is shouting, throwing objects, or threatening violence — possibly from mental illness, drugs, or extreme stress.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Get safe. Call 112. One calm voice. Do not fight alone.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Pacing, clenched fists, throwing items, threats to harm.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Crowd gathering — increases agitation.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Agitation can stem from psychosis, intoxication, brain injury, or extreme fear.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Adrenaline makes reasoning impossible until person calms.
Check the scene before you approach.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Back away to safe distance. Clear others from room.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 — say violent agitation, location, weapons if any.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — One person speaks calmly: "We want everyone safe."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Reduce noise and eye contact pressure. Offer space to leave safely.
When and how to get professional help.
Any active violence or credible threat needs police and medical response.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Safety, de-escalation from distance, and call professionals. Restraint is last resort for trained responders.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112. Violent agitation — need police and ambulance.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Update if person leaves location — direction of travel.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT shout back or surround the person.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT attempt physical restraint unless trained and absolutely necessary.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You should physically restrain an agitated person to help them
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Untrained restraint risks injury to everyone and can escalate to fatal outcomes.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Serious harm to helper and person in crisis.
Other scenarios in the same family.
Active self-harm
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person is actively cutting, burning, or injuring themselves and may need medical and psychological help.
Crowd panic
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — In a stadium, festival, or emergency, a crowd surges, screams, and people risk trampling or crush injuries.
Suicidal crisis
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person expresses hopelessness, plans to die, or has access to means of self-harm.
Psychotic episode
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person hears voices, has paranoid beliefs, or behaves unpredictably due to a psychotic episode.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Sedation and medical evaluation may be needed in hospital.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Underlying medical emergency (low sugar, head injury) must be considered.