The COVID-19 pandemic and global shutdown forced millions across the world to sit down and pay attention to what was going on in their respective societies. One of those things, specifically in America, was the unnecessary force law enforcement officers took against those in a mental health crisis. Situations that could be easily diffused with the help of a mental health professional turned deadly when law enforcement arrived — leading to a new national crisis of its own.

The Problem

Those experiencing a mental health issue have been receiving criminal, not medical, responses for many years — an experience the family of Quintonio LeGrier knows all too well.

LeGrier was killed in 2015 after experiencing a severe mental health crisis at home. After having a series of crises throughout 2015, LeGrier called the Chicago PD one morning in mental distress. The call takers were unresponsive to his requests. After his father called back and requested an officer about his son “freaking out,” two officers were dispatched. A neighbor opened the door for them and LeGrier came towards an officer with an aluminum bat. Instead of taking measures to deescalate the situation, the officer fired off multiple shots — six hitting and killing LeGrier and one hitting and killing the nearby neighbor.

In Black and brown communities, people are hesitant to call for help when a family member is in need of mental health services. Usually, it is to the point where it seems as though the individual will cause imminent danger to those around when they will relent and call for help. Too often, these attempts at help result in death or severe injury to those who need the help of support services. This has prompted a call across the country for police to reform how they respond to those in mental health crises.

A Start to a Solution

In Chicago, around 3,100 officers have received training by the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) through the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). This training teaches officers how to respond intuitively and responsibly to those experiencing mental health issues, and offers guidance on when to redirect those citizens to social services. In addition, 911 call takers receive mandatory training to recognize a mental health crisis and how to provide the appropriate information to get the citizen the help that they may need.

Treatment, Not Trauma

Chicago first responders are also adding mental health professionals to 911 call centers to provide support to callers, real time consultations, and to dispatch support teams when needed. Two new units made up of a paramedic, mental health professional, and CIT officer (wearing a special uniform) will respond to a behavioral crisis if it is screened appropriately.

An additional tactic that they are using to de-escalate situations is to arrive in a sprinter van versus a police cruiser. A supplemental diversion and redirection program will direct those with repeated contact for mental health issues to support services instead of the emergency room or to the criminal justice system.

This is a monumental change that needs to be implemented consistently and across the board as a way to manage and support families and citizens in mental health crises. This may save lives and prevent unspeakable tragedies from happening in this country. Although these changes are not happening in every city in America– each small step towards treatment over trauma for patients in mental crisis is a new chance at avoiding penalties and jail time.

Solutions In Action

Other cities across the country have seen success with similar programs. In Eugene, Oregon, Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets (CAHOOTS) was launched in 1989 by the White Bird Clinic. Their goal is to respond to mental-health related crises that focus on reducing harm. In 2017, they responded to 17% of Eugene’s overall 911 call volume.

Denver has implemented a similar model to follow CAHOOTS — the Support Team Assistance Response (STAR). STAR launched in June 2020 and in its pilot phase, has responded to 748 calls without the assistance of police and with no arrests. These solutions are ones that we will work to support across the country to decrease the interaction between people who are in mental crisis and police officers.

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Sources
https://www.abajournal.com
https://www.usatoday.com