Mental Health Archives -

EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDER

Extreme Risk Protection Orders are meant to save lives by authorizing courts to temporarily prevent a person in crisis from accessing firearms. It allows law enforcement, or concerned family members and friends to intervene before the warning signs turn into tragedy. Its intent is that family members and others concerned that an individual who is suicidal or otherwise in crisis will use a firearm or other deadly weapon to seriously injure or kill himself or herself or another person. Those that are subject to these orders are required to give all their deadly weapons and their concealed handgun license to a law enforcement agency, gun dealer, or someone else who can lawfully hold them within 24 hours. Respondents are then not allowed to possess the weapons until the order is cancelled (terminated or dismissed) by a judge or the order expires.

Any family member, household member, intimate partner, or law enforcement can apply for an ERPO. It must be filed in the county where the Respondent lives and filed at the Circuit Court courthouse. There is no cost associated with filing an Extreme Risk Protection Order.

For full instructions and ERPO forms follow the link provided. https://www.courts.oregon.gov/forms/Documents/ERPOPacket.pdf

by Al Barton, Licensed Professional Counselor at MCCFL

Do you care about someone with a mental illness or substance abuse problem? You are not alone. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) estimates that one out of five Americans have a mental health condition. SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) estimates almost one in 10 Americans have a substance use disorder. Many loved ones may have both a substance use problem and a mental health concern at the same time. It can be frustrating when you see the loved one’s problems clearly while they do not. There are treatments and supports in our community to help. Continue reading “How to Help those with Mental Illness or Substance Abuse”