The Virginia Police Department announced on social media that the Compassionate Community Response Team (CCRT) will no longer be available to assist Virginia and nearby communities until further notice.
The team, which included a Range Mental Health Center staff member working with the Virginia Police Department, provided support for individuals and families facing mental health challenges.
Their office at the Uptown Mall in Virginia is also closed until further notice.
In response to the announcement, Range Mental Health Center said their staff member was still available and responding to calls.
Our co-responding team is currently operating without a police officer; however, our mental health responder, Megan, remains available and is actively responding to calls for support.
Our relationship with local law enforcement remains strong, and we continue to co-respond with them as appropriate.
With the closure of the Uptown Mall office, Megan is now based out of our William F Sauve Building which is our main office at 624 13th St Virginia. Her role and availability remain unchanged.
To reach Megan directly: (218) 410-2513
Range Mental Health Center continues to be available for support.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to compassionate, community-based mental health response.
The department advises that anyone needing mental health support can contact the Mobile Crisis Team at (844) 772-4724, which is available 24/7.
First Call for Help is also available by dialing 211, and emergencies should be reported by calling 911.
Update: The Virginia Police Department sent out a Press Release with more details about this decision.
“We have been fortunate to have an amazing working relationship with Range Mental Health Center and certainly look forward to continuing that relationship. The collaborative work the CCRT team has been able to accomplish since its inception can’t be measured. There are many Iron Range residents that have seen their lives greatly improve by the selfless work of this team. Due to promotions and staffing shortages at the Virginia PD we are currently unable to dedicate an officer that can head up the co-response team. We hope that this is a short term gap and we can revisit the co-response model with a full time dedicated officer in the future. We would like to thank our partners at Range Mental Health Center for all that they have done to make this venture successful. We would also like to thank the management and staff at the Up Town Mall in Virginia for their hospitality over the last several years.”
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