Helmsley grant provides relief for those in mental crises

Published by admin on Fri, 03/05/2021 - 12:30pm

ROBERTS COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPT IMPLEMENTS NEW PILOT PROGRAM--Roberts County’s newest deputy, Brody Farmer, is pictured above with the Avera eCare tablet that connects law enforcement and probation officers with mental health professionals who can assist in a mental health crisis and provide appropriate direction. Roberts County is one of 22 counties involved with the Virtual Crisis Care pilot program funded by the Helmskey Charitable Trust. ~ Courtesy Photo

By Mimi Larsen Staff Writer

Maybe someone posted a suicidal comment on Facebook, or maybe someone threatened harm to themselves or someone else. Should it be taken seriously? If it isn’t, and should have been, what then? This is the question that plagues friends and family members wondering whether to intercede or not. It is the question that plagues law enforcement officers who are called to respond. A wrong decision could lead to death. As long as anyone can remember, that looming possibility forced officers to default to the decision of taking the in-crisis individual into custody to be held until a professional mental health expert could make an assessment.

Virtual Crisis Care, an intervention response program created through collaboration between the S.D. Unified Judicial System, the Helmsley Charitable Trust, and Avera Health, has changed the outcome completely, to the benefit of all parties involved. For more on this story and many more please purchase a copy of the Sisseton Courier on news stands now or purchase a copy of the E-edtion on this website..

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