Loudoun’s Poverty Rate
 on the Rise

The nation’s official poverty rate in 2010 according to the Current Population Survey (CPS) was 15.1%, the highest since 1993. Since 2007, the nation’s poverty rate has increased by 2.6 percentage points. Loudoun County has the highest median income, but that doesn’t mean that we are “Immune to poverty.” Loudoun’s poverty rate in 2010 was estimated to be 3.5% according to the American Community Survey (ACS). This is the highest for Loudoun since the economic downturn. Although many ACS demographic date pieces show year-to-year variability, the data for the different years may not be statistically different at the county level. However, the fact that the nation is at its highest poverty point since 2007, Loudoun’s data shows a trend similar to the national, and homeless shelters and food banks in Loudoun have been reporting increasing demand, that likely means Loudoun’s 2010 poverty number is legitimate.

Guide to Helping an Individual
through a Psychiatric Crisis
Developed by NAMI Virginia in collaboration with family members, peer specialists, and mental health professionals.

The contents of this brochure describe the steps you can take to help a friend or family member who is experiencing a psychiatric crisis and in need of help. A psychiatric crisis can include, but is not limited to: suicidal or homicidal thinking and/or behavior, acute psychotic symptoms, increased drug or alcohol use, and sudden changes in mental status. The steps described in this guide progress from a person who is cooperative and voluntarily seeking help, to someone who is not seeking help on his/her own, and the increasingly restrictive options available along that continuum. Please keep in mind that a psychiatric crisis can be a traumatic experience for the individual and it is recommended to always encourage the individual to receive treatment voluntarily, as it will result in a better outcome for all involved.

The guide is designed to inform you of the increasingly restrictive service options available for an individual in need of psychiatric care; however it is imperative that the individual be provided the opportunity to receive services voluntarily at any point during the process. This is an important aspect towards successful recovery, retaining family ties, and maintaining human respect and dignity. An important concept related to these processes is trauma. The process is extremely traumatizing for the individual and can often exacerbate the illness; prolonging acute symptoms and delaying recovery. In addition, the Involuntary commitment remains on the individual’s record permanently and can have many indirect effects on the individual’s quality of life.

Click here for more information about: how to help someone in crisis.....Emergency Custody Order (ECO).....how to petition the magistrate..... Temporary Detention Order (TDO).....what is a commitment hearing.....what are things family members/caregivers can do to help themselves through the crisis...and more. Also included is a List of Resources as well as Emergency Services Phone Numbers for Virginia’s Community Services Boards.