BHCPD trains in mental health first aid

BULLHEAD CITY - Police are working to improve the way law enforcement officers respond to people affected by mental illness.

In October, the International Association of Chiefs of Police launched "Of One Mind," a campaign calling on all police agencies in the United States to train 100 percent of sworn officers and other support staff in mental health first aid and train at least 20 percent of sworn staff in the crisis intervention team response model.

Bullhead City Police Department has joined the movement.

"Mental health issues are a growing concern for law enforcement organizations throughout the country," said Police Chief Brian Williamson. "In the fall of 2016, I set a department goal to have all members of the Bullhead City Police Department trained in a program known as mental health first aid."

The department is working with Southwest Behavioral & Health Services MHFA trainer Chaz Martinez to train all 128 police officers.

"Reducing the stigma of those challenged with mental illness and for those with alcohol and drug addictions, which is endemic in our country, is the goal of the training," Martinez said.

"It provides an opportunity for each attendee to do some self-reflection on how they perceive those with issues and how they might change their ideas, attitudes and opinions to be a part of a solution."

Tools like MHFA give officers the skills to recognize and respond to immediate crisis, and, like first aid or CPR, allows the officer to stabilize someone and de-escalate crises, Martinez said.

De-escalating crises can be a critical tool for police officers; a yearlong study of officer-involved shootings by the Washington Post showed in a quarter of cases, those shot were mentally ill or experiencing an emotional crisis.

The 2015 study noted that about 9 in 10 of the mentally troubled individuals were armed, usually with guns but also with knives or other sharp objects, but also found that most of those who died were shot by police officers who had not been trained to deal with the mentally ill.

"At this point, we are approximately 75 percent trained," Williamson said. "In addition to providing this training, I established a committee comprised of department members and members from mental health providers to review department policies, procedures and training to ensure that working together with the providers we are providing the best possible services to people in crisis with a goal of keeping first responders and the person in crisis safe."

MHFA training is intended for all people and organizations that regularly interact with a lot of people, as well as anyone interested in learning more about mental illness or addiction, Martinez said

The eight-hour national certification course teaches how to assist someone experiencing a mental health crisis through a five-step strategy that includes assessing risk, listening to and supporting the person in crisis and identifying appropriate professional help and other support.

MHFA for law enforcement, corrections and public safety builds on the effectiveness of the standard MHFA curriculum by focusing on the unique experiences and needs of law enforcement.

Martinez also has conducted training at the Mohave County Court & Probation Conference at Mohave Community College Kingman Campus.

"Southwest Behavioral & Health Services is conducting Mental Health First Aid trainings for Volunteers of Catholic Charities and its PATH program, who are working with our Mohave County homeless population, and with the County Veterans Treatment Court volunteers and the Veterans Resource Centers," Martinez said.

"Mohave Community College Bullhead City Campus Dean Shawn Bristle and Kingman Campus Dean Dr. Fred Gilbert are providing space for these mental health first aid trainings to provide for community members."