Over the past year, the co-responding mental health partnership between Aroostook Mental Health Center and the Presque Isle Police Department has made a profound impact on how our department and our community respond to mental health crises. What began as a collaborative initiative has grown into a vital program that bridges the gap between law enforcement and behavioral health support, bringing compassion, safety and care to the forefront of emergency response.
What is co-responding?
Co-responding is a model that pairs a trained mental health professional with law enforcement officers to respond to calls involving individuals experiencing mental health challenges. Rather than relying solely on police intervention, this team approach ensures that those in crisis receive immediate psychological support, while also promoting de-escalation and avoiding unnecessary arrests or hospitalizations.
A transformative year
Since the launch of the program with AMHC, the results have been nothing short of incredible. In just one year:
Hundreds of calls involving mental health concerns have been responded to with the support of co-responders.
Crisis interventions have led to safer outcomes for individuals, families, and first responders alike.
Repeat calls have significantly decreased due to effective follow-up care and connection to community-based support services.
Stigma is being reduced, as more people recognize that mental health is a critical component of public safety and well-being.
Building community trust
One of the most powerful impacts of the co-response model has been the rebuilding of trust between the community and public services. Individuals in crisis and their loved ones are increasingly willing to reach out for help, knowing they will be met with understanding and professional care, rather than judgment or force.
Multiple individuals are now coming into the lobby of the police department asking for help. I never thought, in my tenure as a police officer, that I would ever see that.
Partnering with AMHC has transformed the way we approach mental health emergencies in Presque Isle now. We’re no longer just reacting to crises, we’re helping prevent them from escalating and connecting people to the help they truly need. While the mental health system still faces significant challenges, this co-response model has placed us in a much stronger position than we were just two years ago.
Looking Ahead
As mental health continues to be a growing concern across the nation, programs like this offer a blueprint for effective, compassionate crisis response that truly makes a difference.
I would like to sincerely thank Sarah Wright, program director of crisis services for AMHC, along with our amazing crisis co-responders, Charlie Hanning and Shawn Seeley.
I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to our dedicated officers and outstanding dispatchers, whose professionalism, commitment and support have been instrumental in the success of this co-response model over the past year.
Chief Chris Hayes of the Presque Isle Police Department can be reached at 764-2535 or via email at chayes@presqueisleme.us.
