Mental health clinicians now embedded with local police agencies

Three Muskegon County police departments now have HealthWest mental health clinicians embedded right in their departments.

Clinicians currently embedded within police departments include Michelle Pouch with Muskegon PD, Angela Smith with Muskegon Heights PD and Kerry Fretty with Norton Shores Police Department.

“The Muskegon Police Department values our embedded social worker program because it bridges compassion and public safety, forging a path toward a more holistic and community-centered approach to law enforcement," said Muskegon Police Chief Tim Kozal. "Through this partnership, we strive to build trust and pave the way for a safer and stronger community.”

These additions, paid for with grant funding, allow a co-response to calls that may involve mental health issues, and help result in safer interactions between officers and the community and connections to meaningful care for residents who may need help.

"The Norton Shores Police Department values the partnership with Healthwest and the embedded mental health clinician," said Norton Shores Police Chief Marc Vanderstelt. "The program provides our citizens timely intervention when in crisis to identify their needs and establish continuity of care."

These police departments, along with other Muskegon County police agencies, behavioral health agencies and other first responders, have also been active participants in our county's Crisis Intervention Team training program, which helps officers develop the tools to assist individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis.

"The addition of Angela Smith to the Muskegon Heights Police Department as our clinician and the collaboration with HealthWest has allowed us to provide services to our citizens like the Crisis Intervention Team and the implementation of mental health referrals," said Muskegon Heights Poice Chief Maurice A. Sain. "These efforts have also provided a new and refreshing way to educate and train law enforcement officers with proper training when interacting with someone suffering from a mental health crisis. I am extremely excited to see how much more this collaboration will positively impact the services we provide to citizens of Muskegon Heights and finally understand that sometimes arresting individuals may not be the best solution to the problem."

All three of these agencies experienced an increase in the number of referrals made to the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program in FY23. The LEAD program allows law enforcement to connect individuals accused of minor, nonviolent crimes with community programs and resources, rather than face prosecution. This results in a healthier community, reduces the demands on the criminal justice system, and allows individuals to make meaningful steps in their recovery without the burden of a criminal record.

TRAINING & LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Cop Culture Training

Cop Culture is a 16-hour training combining lectures, interactive dialogue, and scenario-based training. Cop Culture is developed and facilitated by local law enforcement for behavioral health professionals in support of building an effective Crisis Intervention Team. Training includes:

History & Overview of CIT – Where did CIT begin and why have we chosen this for Muskegon County?   

History of Law Enforcement ­– Learning some history and heritage through the introduction of our facilitators and law enforcement partners.

Bias & Expectations – Breaking through some myths, pre-conceived ideas, and expectations of policing. 

Understanding LEO Training – Review of training concepts, SAFETY first. 

Different LENS – The processing of approaching the same situations from our different views.

Life & Death Decisions – Observing incidents and processing decision-making.

Working Together – Expectations / Effectiveness as a cohesive CIT.

Step Into My Shoes – Scenario-Based Training.

Available Sessions:

• Nov. 7 & 8 @ Folkert Community Hub

Registration Info:

HealthWest staff can register via Relias. Community partners can register by emailing [email protected] or [email protected].

Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training

CIT Training is a 40-hour specialized course of both classroom study and scenario-based training that prepares officers to more effectively identify a person requiring treatment and develop partnerships to co-respond in solving the crisis.

This training supports 911/dispatch, police, corrections, EMS, fire, emergency room personnel, behavioral health professionals and all of our partners to recognize a person requiring care, understand how to partner to access this care and work cohesively to care for this individual or family in follow-up by utilizing both voluntary and involuntary treatment interventions.

Available Sessions:

• Dec. 11-15

Registration Info:

Community partners can register by emailing [email protected] or [email protected].

AWARENESS CORNER

October

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Did You Know:

• More than 10 million adults experience domestic violence annually.
• One in four women and one in nine men experience sexual violence, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime.

Local Resource: Every Woman's Place, 231-722-8333

ADHD Awareness Month

Did You Know:

• About 8.4% of kids and 2.5% of adults have ADHD.
• The average age of an ADHD diagnosis is 7 years old.
• Youth with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors or being overly active.

Local Resource: Primary Care Physicians

National Depression Screening Day (Oct. 8)

Did You Know:

• 18.4% of U.S. adults report having ever been diagnosed with depression, according to recently released 2020 data.
• 19.5% of adults in Michigan reported a depression diagnosis.
• Depression causes severe symptoms that affect how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working.

Local Resource: HealthWest Warm Line, 231-722-HELP (4357)

November

Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week (Nov. 14-23)

Did You Know:

• Michigan reported having more than 8,000 homeless individuals in January 2022
• More than 7,100 Muskegon County children live with food insecurity, according to Feeding America
• 11.4% of Michigan households are unable to provide adequate food for one or more household members.

Local Resource: Muskegon Rescue Mission, 231-727-6090

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day (Nov. 21)

Did You Know:

• Muskegon County experienced 46 suicides in 2022, double the total from a decade prior.
• Firearms were involved in half of Muskegon County's 2022 suicide deaths.
• Survivors of suicide loss use this day to come together to find connection, understanding and hope through their shared experience.

Local Resource: Muskegon Suicide Prevention Coalition, [email protected]

December

International Day of Persons with Disabilities (Dec. 3)

Did You Know:

• Roughly 27% of Michigan adults live with a disability.
• This observance aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and wellbeing of individuals living with a disability.

Local Resource: The ARC Muskegon, 231-777-2006