Crisis Response: Steps in the right direction
Crisis Response across America has been a very hot topic and I see and hear a lot of different perspectives. Police have a hard job but they are not social workers, and our culture has been psychologically conditioned to believe that people with mental illnesses are dangerous; hence they want to feel safe approaching those in crisis. Those of us in crisis want to feel safe if we need to call the authorities. 988 has its issues too.
I feel each community needs both police officers and crisis responders, sometimes they can be the same people. The Meridian Police Department in Idaho, has had great results using plain clothed officers with over 200 hours of training to respond. There are a lot of other models that can be applied, but the response of needing to escalate with handcuffs, firearms, or trying to give stupid directives needs to come to an end. Every crisis is different, but the common thing is we are all human.
I want to publicly acknowledge the officers that helped me in December. I went to them years ago and told the authorities about me and also how I am programed. They were able to say every "code word" I gave them to use on me and no handcuffs came out, we discussed their need to carry firearms into a home, and the two young ladies who roughed me up when I attempted suicide were able to get redemption and do it the right way this time. I put myself on a hold as a precaution cause I could feel the panic attack.
Every community needs to strive to improve how we treat people with disabilities, and hold those accountable who harm us when the "system" gets involved. A lot of us experience what is called "iatrogenic" harm. If anyone is interested in continuing education credits, NARPA will be in Portland this year and crisis response will be discussed.
Thank you,
Mikey