JSO launches mental health crisis patrol teams

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Action News Jax Courtney Cole talks to JSO and the CEO of LSF Health systems about a program, recently launched in Jacksonville, aimed at helping divert mental health and substance abuse patients from the emergency room and jail.

Tune into CBS47/FOX30 Action News Jax at 5:30 for the full story.

JSO will be launching mental health crisis patrol teams. The teams will act as first responders on calls involving mental illness, substance use disorders or emotionally charged situations.

Teams include a crisis intervention trained officer and a certified mental health clinician who ride together in marked police cars. They provide immediate on-scene support, counseling and early trauma intervention as well as make referrals.

The concept helps officers provide services people need and keep them out of the criminal justice system.

The co-responder program offers an evidenced-based approach that goes beyond standard police intervention by focusing on de-escalation, said LSF Health Systems CEO Dr. Christine Cauffield.

Since 2018, the teams have seen success in Gainesville with their police department, diverting hundreds of people to mental health treatment facilities instead of to jail.

Cox Media Group