In light of #mentalhealthawarenessmonth, we would like to highlight our department’s Behavioral Health and Wellness Unit and the fantastic resource they are for our community…
The Behavioral Health and Wellness Unit (BHWU) is a specially trained unit within OPD that engages in a multidisciplinary community team approach for training, planning, implementing and responding to behavioral health related crisis situations. The BHWU addresses the need for early intervention for, and treatment of, those with mental health concerns as a critical step in diverting these individuals from the criminal justice system, unnecessary hospitalization and any potential lasting impact of trauma.
BHWU connects behavioral health, law enforcement and the justice system to ensure a coordinated, efficient response. Programs with the BHWU adhere to the six key principles of a trauma-informed approach: safety, trustworthiness and transparency, peer support and mutual self-help, collaboration and mutuality, empowerment voice and choice, cultural, historical and gender issues.
The Co-Responder Team is comprised of experienced mental health and trauma informed professionals who are embedded in OPD. The Mental Health Coordinator and Co-Repsonders assist at scenes of active 911 behavioral health crises alongside OPD officers, when feasible, to aid in de-escalation and crisis stabilization, etc. The Co-Responder Team will also assist with follow-up/prevention contacts and threat assessment in the community.
https://www.ketv.com/.../behavioral-health-and.../38164559
Original source can be found here.
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