Aggression escalates fast
Centers serving mental health and substance use clients face heightened risk of aggressive behavior. Chapter 7 walks through engaging and de-escalating upset clients and staff before a situation turns physical.
Instant digital download
Your center’s safety plancan’t wait for an incident
A field-tested playbook for security supervisors, security officers, and behavioral health center staff — written by a security professional with 30+ years of experience, including more than a decade inside a major Philadelphia behavioral health center.
Amazon paperback $14.95
$9.95
Digital edition
16 chapters · 100+ pages · searchable PDF you can share with your whole team
Behavioral health centers carry risks a standard security manual never covers
From managing aggressive behavior to ensuring data privacy, the concerns are vast and complex. This book identifies the areas that need focused attention — and gives you robust solutions for each.
Entrances are the weak point
Unmanaged doors, unscreened visitors, and unmonitored exits invite the incidents nobody documented. Chapter 4 covers access control options matched to real facility budgets.
Client data is a target
Privacy failures carry legal and ethical consequences long after the incident. Chapters 9 and 10 address legal considerations, client privacy, and data protection.
Staff can't reach each other
When communication breaks down, response time does too. Chapter 5 details the tools, protocols, and coordination habits that keep a team in sync during a crisis.
“My goal is to equip you with the knowledge and tools to create a safer, more secure environment in your behavioral health center — ensuring these vital facilities remain secure havens for those seeking help and healing.”
Andre Holliday, from the introduction
The author
Written from inside the building
Andre Holliday brings over 30 years of security experience, including more than a decade at a major behavioral health center in Philadelphia, PA, and extensive work in the private security sector. Throughout his career he researched areas of security beyond his own responsibilities to surface the concerns behavioral health facilities face now — and the ones coming next.
- 30+ years in security operations and supervision
- 10+ years securing a major urban behavioral health center
- Practical guidance and real-world examples in every chapter
- Covers urban and suburban facility differences
What’s inside
16 chapters, start to finish
- 01Understanding the Behavioral Health Center Environment
- 02Center Layout and Design Considerations
- 03Office Setup for Safety
- 04Managing Entrances and Exits
- 05Staff Communication and Coordination
- 06Emergency Procedures and Protocols
- 07Engaging and De-escalating Upset Clients and Staff
- 08Role of Security and Maintenance Staff
- 09Legal and Ethical Considerations
- 10Client Privacy and Data Protection
- 11Handling External Threats
- 12Incident Management and Recovery
- 13Technology and Innovation in Behavioral Health Security
- 14Promoting a Culture of Safety
- 15Future Trends in Behavioral Health Center Security
- 16Security Essentials Summarized
Who this book is for
Security supervisors
Build post orders, patrol routes, and incident response protocols that hold up under review — and train your officers against a consistent standard.
Security personnel
Concrete de-escalation language, entrance and exit control practice, and clear expectations for your role alongside maintenance and clinical staff.
Clinical & administrative staff
Safer office layouts, reception desk setup, emergency procedures, and privacy habits that protect both your clients and your team.
Choose your edition
Amazon paperback
$14.95
- Printed copy shipped to you
- Waits on delivery time
- One physical copy per purchase
Digital download
$9.95
- Delivered by email as a PDF
- Read it today — no shipping wait
- Searchable: find a protocol in seconds
- Reference it on any phone, tablet, or desk computer
- $5.00 less than the print edition
Every shift you wait is a shift without a plan
Get the digital edition of Security Essentials for $9.95 and start hardening your center today.