Lancaster Station answers: what is a 5150 Hold & how do I get help for my mentally ill loved one? 
Good Morning and Happy Monday Antelope Valley!
We continue to bring awareness to Mental Health during the month of May.
One of the most difficult calls our deputies handle is those involving mentally ill patients. Families often call our station when their loved one hasn't taken medication, is combative and/or violent towards themselves or others, or has not been officially diagnosed.
What can we do?
Under certain circumstances, deputies can place a person on a "5150 Hold". This means a mentally ill person is held for at least 72-hours at a hospital while being evaluated. This can ONLY be done when 1) the person presents a danger to himself or others, or 2) the person is so disabled that he/she cannot take care of themselves (won't eat, won't come out of bedroom).
However this is a very difficult standard to meet. In most cases, Deputies cannot take your loved one to a hospital against their will.
What can you do?
In life threatening emergencies, call 9-1-1.
If you have urgent questions or a situation is getting worse, but not quite an emergency, call Department of Mental Health at (800) 854-7771.
Prior to a situation escalating or shortly after having received a diagnosis for your loved one, make a caregiver plan by calling 211. LA County provides social services and support for all LA County residents. They work closely with DMH and can help answer questions about your loved one's options.
Help us remove the stigma of mental health by speaking to your family and loved ones. Help is out there and we are just a phone call away.
Lancaster Sheriff’s Station polices the City of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College in Lancaster, and the unincorporated communities of Antelope Acres, Lake Los Angeles, and Quartz Hill in the Antelope Valley.
Ali Villalobos
Lancaster Sheriff’s Station
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
501 W Lancaster Boulevard
Lancaster, CA 93534
Station (661) 948-8466
Desk (661) 524-2154
Website: http://www.Lancaster.lasd.org
LASD Text & Email Register at http://www.Nixle.com :
http://nixle.com/lasd---lancaster-station-los-angeles-county-sheriff/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LancasterSheriffsStation
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LANLASD
Instagram: @lanlasd
Facebook: http://facebook.com/lasdAli
Address/Location
LASD - Lancaster Station, Los Angeles County Sheriff
501 W Lancaster Blvd
Lancaster, CA 93534
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 661-948-8466
