As Mental Health Awareness Month continues, the Boston Police Department is highlighting some of the partnerships, resources, and programs that help support mental health throughout our city.
Today, we are recognizing the BPD’s partnership with Boston Medical Center as part of the Department’s Co-Response Model. Master’s-level BEST (Boston Emergency Services Team) are embedded with our Department and work alongside BPD officers to respond to mental health-related calls. The goal is to help connect individuals with appropriate resources, focusing on de-escalation, assessment, and diverting individuals from arrest when appropriate, while increasing safety for everyone involved.
In addition, many BPD officers involved in the program have completed 40 hours of crisis intervention training, helping them better recognize mental health concerns, de-escalate situations, and connect community members with available care and support.
The Co-Response Model is another way the BPD continues to support our community members in the best way possible. To learn more about the Co-Response Model and all our mental health initiatives, please visit our website at BPDnews.com/mentalhealth