Madison, Wisconsin — The need for adequate mental health responses in rural areas is growing at an alarming rate. Last year, the sheriff’s office responded to his 1,400 calls with a mental health component, according to Dane County officials, but officials are divided on how to build the response system.
“We have a solution to a real challenge that exists today,” said county executive Joe Parisi.
For next year’s budget, Mr. Parisi proposed $250,000 for private mental health professionals in each Dane County division and $190,000 for unmarked private cars, for a total of $440,000.
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“Therefore, if there is a 911 call, it is more likely that law enforcement will respond. ‘ said Parisi.
But his solution failed to gain support from the Health and Human Services Commission on Tuesday night and sparked backlash from Parisi and Sheriff Calvin Barrett in a memo to the Finance Commission.
“The deleted budget initiative is detrimental to the county’s behavioral health goals and our shared desire to reduce law enforcement contact with people at risk. , doubling the personnel resources available from Journey Mental Health for local behavioral health services.”
Commission Chairman Heidi Wegleitner told News 3 Now Wednesday:
According to Sheriff Calvin Barrett, the proposal is in addition to the three existing crisis response personnel employed by the sheriff’s office.
“Right now, we’re sending deputies right now to make calls with these part-time mental or built-in crisis responders,” the sheriff said. ”
Wegleitner says: This is about building a model that doesn’t have guns and people in uniforms that expose them to behavioral health crises. There are paramedics and mental health workers who are in need. ”
The Health and Human Needs Commission amended the budget to reallocate $250,000 to the City of Madison’s CARES crisis response team to “promote the development of non-law enforcement mobile crisis response efforts throughout the county.” I read that decision.
“That could mean partnering with other local governments. It could mean that,” says Wegleitner.
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“I think the decision that was made last night really hurt a lot of rural Dane County,” Barrett said. The town of Dunkirk has very different needs than the towns of Black Earth, Masomany, and Albion, and you have to be able to understand exactly what those needs are. We are starting to build and extend our program and that is what we are going to do now. ”
According to Barrett, 80% of the calls his representatives answer are mental health calls.
Both he and Parisi believe that time is of the essence.
“Let’s see [expanding CARES]said Parisi. “But you know, this is a study that will take him a year, two years, three years to do. , because where you live shouldn’t determine your access to emergency mental health services.”
With time and attention, Barrett said, the county-wide team could grow to reflect CARES in all areas of Dane County.
“And we need trained mental health professionals, not law enforcement, to respond to these calls,” he said.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues or is considering suicide, there are resources available to help. Suicide and Crisis LifelineIn Dane County, the Journey Mental Health Center has a 24/7 suicide prevention hotline at 608-280-2600.
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