COLUMBUS, Ind. – The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) is partnering with Stride, a 24/7 crisis center that opened in April 2023. Stride is providing the Sheriff’s Office with iPads that will immediately connect those in crisis to mental health professionals.
Law enforcement and other first responders are often the first call made when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis, especially if the person is a danger to himself or herself. The iPads provide another tool for officers to use in mental-health-related calls. When appropriate, those experiencing a crisis can immediately connect with a mental health professional via Zoom. This prompt connection will hopefully aid in de-escalating the crisis and provide the person with immediate follow-up services.
Co-coordinator for the Bartholomew County Crisis Intervention Team Sgt. Andrew Whipker said, “If we can invest the time upfront getting a person in crisis connected to the resources they need, it will hopefully reduce the number of calls to 911, the number of manpower hours spent responding to mental health-related calls and hospitalizations.”
Sheriff Chris Lane stated, “Every day my deputies respond to those in need of mental health services and often in some sort of mental health crisis. Resources like these tablets are another great tool for law enforcement to assist those in need of services.”
Melissa Helms, Director of Crisis Services with Stride added, “BCSO has been fantastic and is so committed to ensuring that individuals in crisis have access to mental health and substance services. They have partnered with the Stride Center and Stride Mobile since we started planning.”
