Mental Health Partners Provides Mental Health Crisis Training to Boulder Law Enforcement Officers

For Immediate Release June 25, 2018 Media Contact Kristina Shaw, MHP Marketing Director (303) 545-0840 | kshaw@mhpcolorado.org

Mental Health Partners Provides Mental Health Crisis Training to Boulder Law Enforcement Officers

Mental Health Partners’ (MHP) is training more than 200 deputies from the Boulder County Sherriff’s Office in Mental Health First Aid for Public Safety, an in-depth training about responding to situations where they might encounter individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. During their course of duty, law enforcement officers often experience individuals who are experiencing a mental health crisis. MHP hopes that by providing officers this professional training they will be able to identify when an individual is undergoing a mental health crisis and the best ways to de-escalate the situation and respond with appropriate treatment.

“This course is valuable to both new and experienced responders,” said Commander Jason Oehlkers from the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office. The eight-hour course teaches participants unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems, helps them gain understanding of the importance of early intervention and, most importantly, and develops skills to assist individuals appropriately without compromising safety. “Teaching this course to Sherriff’s Office staff has been extremely rewarding,” said Kevin Braney, MHP’s Director of Employee Engagement, Safety & Training. “His officers are curious, thoughtful and committed to learning as much as possible about the many mental health topics we cover in the course.” MHP is conducting the trainings with the Boulder County Sherriff’s Office until June 27. MHP also offers Mental Health First Adi training to individuals, groups and organizations throughout Boulder and Broomfield counties. For more information, visit www.mhpcolorado.org/training.

About Mental Health Partners:  In alignment with our mission – Healing is our purpose. Help is our promise. Health is our passion. – Mental Health Partners (MHP) provides immediate access to expert mental health and substance use care so people can enjoy healthy and fulfilling lives. For more information or to access services, call (303) 443-8500. MHP also invites the community to check out their new website – www.mhpcolorado.org - and join the conversation regarding the importance of #EndTheStigma and #ExpandTheAccess on Facebook (@MentalHealthPartnersCO) and Twitter (@MentalHealthCO). For emergency assistance with a mental health crisis, please call 1 (844) 493-TALK (8255), text TALK to 38255 or go directly to our 24/7 Walk-In Center at 3180 Airport Rd., Boulder, CO.

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