CLEBURNE COUNTY, Ala. (WBRC) – Deputies in Cleburne County now have new tools to help anyone who may be in a mental health crisis.
Sheriff Jon Daniel says these new resources are a way his deputies can help people, while also keeping everyone safe.
“We really didn’t have nothing to go on other than us going out on a call if it was a crisis type call, assessing the situation,” said Daniel.
In the past, Daniel says deputies would rely on medics who could then advise someone to seek professional in-patient care; but ultimately it would be the patient’s decision. Now, a person in mental distress can Zoom with a health care professional in real time.
“Once we get a call, or some type of crisis situation, mental health related. I have a deputy go out, assess the situation. We’ll hand them this device, hit the red button. It calls the crisis negotiator or a mental health case worker and they will speak to them live,” Daniel explained.
The technology is being made possible through a partnership with Highland Health.
A deputy on day and night shift now has an iPad connected to the MyCare Program in their patrol vehicle.
ipad connected to health care professional(reggie kyle)
“Anytime your dealing with someone with mental health issues you don’t know that mentality, because it could be different every time but, we do have an idea for the most part of who we’re dealing with,” said Daniel.
Daniel added that the other benefit of the telehealth tool is deputies can use it for themselves.
“If they go out on a scene and they see something that might be disturbing, or whatever, cause it’s not always easy to talk to your superior or whoever. They could pull over on the side of the road, call and talk to a crisis negotiator themselves,” said Daniel.
Daniel says his department has a mental health case worker who works with inmates and monitors them up to a year after they’re released.
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