“It’s really awesome evidence-based training where individuals learn the warning signs of different mental health disorders and how to identify what those are and how to refer those individuals to the professionals in the community.”
Kasie Pickart is the Behavioral Health Grants Project Director at Hope Network. She says the mental health training the Grand Rapids Police Department is receiving not only benefits the public, it also helps the officers.
“It’s super important because about 90% of law enforcement professionals actually identify stigma as a barrier to themselves seeking care.”
Statistics show higher rates of mental health challenges among public safety professionals compared to the general population, with issues such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, general anxiety and suicidal thoughts being prevalent in these roles.
GRPD Officer Ray Erickson said he appreciated the opportunity to learn more about these mental health issues.
“I think anybody in the general public, police officer or not, should be aware that these are disorders that people don’t control, they don’t ask for and it’s a real relevant issue for people in general.”
Approximately thirty participants from the GRPD and other local public safety agencies took part in the training.
