This week on Flashpoint, WCNC Charlotte's Ben Thompson speaks to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's Lt. Joan Gallant on how the department is addressing mental health-related calls in Charlotte.
In 2019, CMPD launched a Community Policing Crisis Response Team. The team was created to respond to 911 calls that involve mental health issues, that aren't necessarily criminal matters.
"Police services include any host of things, not just answering a call that is regarding a crime. We're the helpers," CMPD Lt Joan Gallant said. "That crisis can be anything. It can be mental health, substance abuse, homelessness, situational."
Later, Ben talks to Anne Geissinger, program coordinator for North Carolina's suicide prevention program. Recently, the NC Department of Health and Human Services released a new action plan to address suicide. The action plan includes coordination among state agencies, increasing community awareness, and identifying at-risk communities.
READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/flashpoint/north-carolina-rolls-out-suicide-prevention-action-plan/275-c515d600-167d-416d-9413-08bcbae1c930
