Williamsport police present new mental health response model

WILLIAMSPORT, LYCOMING COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Mental health-related 911 calls are on the rise across the country and in our area. One local police department is taking action to address the issue.

The new initiative is all about implementing a way to respond to crises and getting people the help they need.

The co-responder model is being used across the country to assist police in dealing with people whose behavior is impacted by their mental health.

The idea is to team up police officers with mental health clinicians who can de-escalate a situation caused by emotional distress.

“We wanted to get a program in place to really assist the community, folks that are experiencing behavioral health or mental health crisis, and get them connected with the appropriate resources,” said City of Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter

Thanks to a grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, the Williamsport Bureau of Police is enacting the mental health co-responder model.

“Approximately one in 10 of our calls are mental health or behavioral health individuals experiencing some sort of crisis, it really lends itself to us having a program like this,” Mayor Slaughter explained.

Mayor Slaughter says the initiative has been implemented across the commonwealth and has shown success.

It involves a mental health clinician responding to a call with a police officer, when appropriate.

“So we’re gonna work with some of our constituents, that being the 911 center and stuff, and look at creating a curriculum so that they can identify if somebody is suffering from a mental health crisis,” said Williamsport Bureau Police Department Chief Justin Snyder.

After the situation is evaluated, Chief Snyder says the officers will move forward.

“Once we identify the situation, if it is someone dealing with a mental health crisis then we can identify that we can send a co-response team there and that’ll free up other officers to go deal with a nonmental health issue, police issues,” Chief Snyder continued.

The end goal: Connecting people in need to the resources they need.

“Mental health and behavioral health the stereotypes are being broken down, which I believe is a really good thing, and now, you’re seeing that individuals are stepping up and saying ‘Hey, maybe I do need a little help, what resources are available?’ So I think that’s a good thing,” Mayor Slaughter added.

The Williamsport Bureau of Police is contracted with the Center for Community Resources for this initiative.

The organization has been successful across the Keystone State in providing mental health support.

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