SCCMHA continues to partner with law enforcement for mental health training

SCCMHA recently hosted two training sessions with multiple police departments around Saginaw County, looking to work toward a partnership with law enforcement to effectively improve engagement with individuals in behavioral health crises.

During the sessions – titled “Building a Partnership Between Law Enforcement and Mental Health” – staff from SCCMHA presented to officers from Saginaw County Sheriff's Office, Saginaw City Police, Saginaw Township Police, Carrollton Police, and several other agencies to better inform them of the services provided by SCCMHA that may help law enforcement in dealing with situations having to do with mental health conditions and to help them connect citizens to mental health services as well.

The two four-hour sessions were held on Tuesday, April 8 and Tuesday, April 15 at the VFW Hall at 3265 Kochville Rd. in Saginaw Township. In total, 184 law enforcement officers participated, along with 20 civilians.

Among the topics covered during the training, law enforcement learned how to engage with individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, and understand several scenarios that may involve interactions with someone in a mental health crisis.

In addition, police were also able to meet staff from the behavioral services team, the Veteran and Military Family Navigator, and members of the 24-hour Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS), a team of mental health professionals trained to assist those in need through a mental health crisis, over the phone, virtually, or in-person.

Organized by SCCMHA’s Nancy Johnson and Saginaw Township Police Lieutenant Andy Myers, the need is out there for law enforcement across Saginaw County to receive this training, as officers have frequent interactions with individuals with mental health conditions.

“It’s nice to hear about the resources and programs available,” Myers said. “Getting the information in the officers’ hands is important, so they can tell people where they can turn to in resolving a problem that’s a mental health concern.”