Mental Health Response Team

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office proposes to implement a Mental Health Response Team. The purpose is to create a co-responder effort in Richmond County, Georgia between mental health clinicians, certified peer specialists, and law enforcement officers to assist on-scene dealing with individuals in active mental health crises and/or who need follow-up case management and treatment rather than placement in the criminal justice system. Project activities include creating two co-responder teams consisting of licensed clinician, CIT-trained deputy, and certified peer counselor to assist in dealing with people in mental health crisis and obtaining treatment as opposed to incarceration. Expected outcomes are to reduce the risk of serious injury or death during an emergency interaction between persons with mental illness and law enforcement officers, provide access to mental health treatment rather than placement in the criminal justice system, and to provide to safety, understanding and compassion when dealing with mental health related calls for service. The co-responder team will attempt to restore the person to a pre-crisis level. The team will also work with community partners to provide affected individuals and support individuals with community resources and case management.