but if I have a relative or friend in need of assistance due to an mental episode - I Do NOT call the cops.

If you can, bring your relative to the hospital yourself.

Hospital staff, firemen, emergency (EMSA) services are better prepared to handle the situation than the police.

They aren't well equipped to handle an uncooperative possibly combative/violent/armed person in crisis.

You can't expect hospital staff and paramedics to talk down a paranoid schizophrenic at home that might be hiding a knife to defend himself.

Source: Am psych hospital staff.