Read Full Article | View Source
There’s a new program in Volusia County to properly handle 911 calls from people having a mental health crisis. Sheriff Mike Chitwood points to an increase in mental health reports and says too often, they end tragically.The sheriff says about half of the 60,000 calls dispatch gets a month are substance abuse or mental-health related.A new crisis counselor will help dispatchers so that they have a better chance at getting the right resources where they’re needed.It’s the lifeline for callers who are in danger, charging the person who answers to act fast in hopes of saving them.”The person knows that it’s a recorded line and they leave their last will testament and then they take their life and the dispatcher is on the line,” Chitwood said.Chitwood says, typically, it’s police officers responding to these crises…
