IRVING (WBAP/KLIF) – The Irving Police Department officially announced the launch of its new Mental Health Response Team Thursday.
According to Irving Police, the team consists of three specially trained officers and a mental health professional. Team members will provide a comprehensive
response to calls involving behavioral health emergencies as well as outreach and follow-up calls as necessary.
Officer James McLellan said that as behavioral health emergency detentions continued to increase, the Irving Police Department recognized the need for a better approach to handling mental health calls and providing services to individuals in need of mental health care.
“Already it’s reducing calls to the Police Department,” said McLellan. “And the team is able to establish relationships with people.”
The team worked with Integrated Psychotherapeutic Services and Irving Cares to open the only outpatient mental health clinic located in the City of Irving. The North Texas Behavioral Health Authority has committed to providing a jail navigator/care coordinator that will be assigned to Irving.
McLellan said the team will shift the response to persons with behavioral health care needs from law enforcement to the medical community.
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