Police shooting of a man experiencing a mental health crisis sparks outrage

Commenters also discussed treatment for anxiety and panic attacks.

After a Maryland man experiencing a mental health crisis was shot and killed by police, social media users asked how people can access safer emergency mental health support. Plus, an investigation into a 2025 fatal police shooting in Connecticut fueled discussion about treatment for anxiety and panic attacks, and parents debated whether children should take “mental health days” off from school.

Given these conversations, communicators may share emergency mental health resources, offer information about anxiety and panic attacks, and recirculate mental health resources for students and caregivers

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What’s trending nationally in conversations about mental health

On March 1, police shot and killed a man outside of his Maryland home. Articles later reported that the man was autistic and had called 911 as part of a “safety plan” during a mental health crisis. The shooting sparked outrage online. Many commenters noted previous examples of police shooting and killing people experiencing a mental health crisis and asked how people can access emergency mental health support without involving law enforcement.

A recent investigation into the police shooting of a Connecticut man last year found that a police officer having a “mild anxiety attack” took the ambulance that was sent for the man who was shot and who later died. In response to articles reporting on the investigation, many commenters argued that the officer’s anxiety attack did not justify taking an ambulance away from a critically injured person, especially since the officer reportedly did not require medical treatment. Some said that while anxiety and panic attacks may sometimes require medical attention, emergency care for serious physical injuries should take priority. A few asked when people should seek emergency care for anxiety and panic attacks.

In the past two weeks, social media users across platforms debated whether parents should allow their children to miss school for “mental health days.” Most commenters said that occasional days off from school are necessary for students to maintain mental health, and some shared their own positive experiences with taking mental health days off from work. Others argued that students don’t need mental health days and that weekends and school breaks give them enough time off from school.

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Recommendations for public health professionals

The Infodemiology.com team will provide messaging recommendations in response to some of the trending narratives outlined above. These helpful tips can be used when creating content, updating web and FAQ pages, and developing strategy for messaging about mental health.

In response to concerns about emergency mental health support and law enforcement, communicators may share alternatives to 911, like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Messaging may note that 988 does not automatically call police. However, when counselors believe that a caller’s life is at risk, they can ask a 911 dispatcher to try to find out where the call is coming from, which may result in police intervention. Communicators may also circulate mental health helplines that do not directly contact police, such as Trans Lifeline, the Wildflower Alliance Peer Support Line, Call BlackLine, and StrongHearts Native Helpline. Messaging may stress that anyone who has a plan to harm themself or someone else should visit a hospital emergency room or call 911.

Conversations about when anxiety and panic attacks require medical attention provide an opportunity for educational messaging about each. Messaging may explain that while anxiety attacks may build up gradually in response to stressors, panic attacks typically happen suddenly. Communicators may highlight that they share the same physical symptoms, like a racing heart, chest pain, difficulty breathing or fast breathing, trembling, nausea, sweating, and tingling or numbness in fingers and toes. Messaging may emphasize that people experiencing these symptoms should seek emergency medical care if they’re unsure that the symptoms are related to anxiety, if their anxiety feels unmanageable, or if they feel at risk of harming themselves or others. Communicators may also share tips for preventing or stopping anxiety and panic attacks through lifestyle changes, therapy, and medication.

Given discussions about students’ mental health, communicators may recirculate mental health resources geared toward youth, including the peer support hotline YouthLine and the Trevor Project’s hotline for LGBTQ+ youth. Communicators may also want to share mental health warning signs in youth, information for caregivers about supporting children’s mental health, and tips for managing school-related stress.