Melbourne Police’s Mental Health Mobile Response Team Provides Vital Assistance
In a bid to offer crucial help to individuals dealing with severe mental health issues, the Melbourne Police Department has seen great success with its newly established mental health Mobile Response team. Launched slightly over a year ago, the program pairs police officers with mental health and social workers to provide on-the-spot assistance.
This year alone, the Mobile Response Team has already answered 276 calls for help. The team’s response was particularly noteworthy in August, as they were dispatched to 49 different crisis situations throughout the month.
MRT Program Manager Abby Pease explained, We’re able to get to the scene pretty quickly and provide supports to help deescalate, connect to resources. The program, which came into existence last year, is a result of a partnership among the Melbourne Police Department, Central Florida Cares Health System, and Brevard Family Partnership. The pilot program is funded by a $1.2 million grant from the Florida Department of Children and Families over a three-year period.
A Melbourne resident named Madonna O’Connor expressed her gratitude for the program, speaking from personal experience in supporting a family member undergoing a mental health crisis. She highlighted the overwhelming stress that can arise in these situations and praised the relief that the program brings. O’Connor said, This program is a relief for me. I can go to work.
O’Connor also mentioned that ongoing crisis intervention and peer support specialists have greatly benefited her family. The police department reported that many individuals opt for additional ongoing assistance after their initial contact with the Mobile Response Team.
Apart from offering mental health services, MRT clinicians also extend their assistance to those grappling with homelessness, domestic violence, or drug addiction. In these cases, the involvement of mental health practitioners or social workers can be invaluable. As Melbourne Police Department Sgt. Benjamin Slover explained, this holistic approach means that officers do not have to make repeated visits to the same households, thereby enabling them to focus on law enforcement-related activities.
Encouraging individuals who struggle or have loved ones facing mental health challenges, O’Connor urged, If you yourself struggle or have a loved one that struggles, pick up the phone, call the non-emergency number.
Pease revealed that numerous other local police departments have expressed interest in launching similar programs, underscoring the positive impact of Melbourne’s initiative.
The Melbourne Police’s Mental Health Mobile Response Team has undoubtedly become a crucial resource for those in need, providing timely and compassionate assistance to individuals facing mental health crises. As the program continues to thrive, it is hoped that more communities will adopt this innovative approach and prioritize the well-being of their citizens.
