Jessica Atwood is the Shrewsbury Police Department’s new prison diversion program co-response clinician. (Photo: Laura Hayes)
SHREWSBURY – The Shrewsbury Police Department responded to nearly 1,000 mental health calls between 2017 and 2021.
That marks a 38% increase from the previous five-year period, according to Chief Kevin Anderson.
Join Jessica Atwood, who is the department’s new prison diversion program co-response clinician.
“While our officers are excellent at what they do, we need to realize that they are police officers and not licensed mental health professionals with a formal education in the mental health field,” Anderson said in a recent press release.
Police note spike in mental health calls
Seeing the uptick in the mental health call, the department was looking for a person to provide a higher level of service to residents in a crisis. On the same subject : Men’s health is a priority.
Atwood, who began her role in April, told the community’s attorney last week that work with the Shrewsbury Police Department has so far gone “wonderfully”.
“Everyone was so welcoming,” she said. “It’s [a] change for everyone because this is a whole new position.”
“In a short period of time, from emergencies to follow-up, she was a huge asset,” Anderson said. “She has built a really good relationship with the community.”
Atwood grew up near Lowell and Chelmsford, although she has lived in Worcester County for the past six years.
She has spent approximately 12 years in her current profession, and has been working for Framingham-based Human Services Agency Advocates since 2016.
“I have always had an interest in psychology and criminal justice,” Atwood said.
Her first job in the field involved as an emergency mental health technician at Lowell General Hospital.
While working at the hospital, she met Atwood clinicians who evaluate patients in the emergency department.
“I once asked a clinician, ‘How do I get your job?'” Atwood recalls.
This question led her to go back to graduate school before she was eventually interned and later hired by lawyers.
Discussions about clinician date back years
As Anderson described it, the process of bringing someone with skills like Atwood back to his interview to be a boss. On the same subject : Ten small lifestyle changes to improve your health.
Anderson has put together a one-year strategic plan that includes the evaluation of the Department of Mental Health’s responses to individuals in crisis. Anderson wanted to look at training that focused on the department’s responses and his ability to identify people in crisis.
He was also interested in explaining whether the department should have a crisis intervention team and hire a mental health clinic.
When he was formally appointed chief, Anderson began to scrutinize the department.
“One of the things we found was there was a need for a mental health clinician,” he said.
The police have received approval for funds for this position under the 2022 budget year.
Lt Nick Perna then worked with lawyers to secure an approximately $ 300,000 grant through the State Department of Mental Health.
The grant is good for three years, supporting Atwood’s position for this period. It also leaves a possibility that it may be renewed after that period.
Other communities bring in clinicians
In launching their co-response program, Shrewsbury joined other communities that also worked with attorneys on similar efforts. See the article : Statement by the State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett On #PrideMonth 2022.
Such area communities include Hudson, Marlborough, Northborough, Southborough and Westborough.
The first lawyer co-response program was launched in Framingham in 2003. Marlborough replicated it in 2008. Hudson joined in 2018. Westborough, Southborough and Northborough have been partners since 2019.
Clinician begins work in Shrewsbury
Back in Shrewsbury, Atwood began working with the Shrewsbury Police Department in April after six weeks of training.
As part of her job, she responds with police officers on calls, ranging from individuals in the psychiatric crisis to house attacks to elderly service cases.
“[I] assess them, help de-escalate the situation and give them the appropriate resources and treatment they need,” Atwood said.
She said this helps prevent “unnecessary” emergency visits.
Shrewsbury officers said Atwood is a great asset to the department, Anderson said.
One of the goals of the department is also to redirect people with mental illness and substance use disorder into the health care system as opposed to the justice system.
Last year, all Shrewsbury officers completed some mental health training. Some have even been sent to crisis intervention training.
“At the end of the day, it’s the best outcome for the person concerned,” Anderson said. “When Jess is on the scene, she can know the signs to identify someone with emotional or mental health issues and give them the appropriate services they need.”
The Prison Diversion Program aims to help the police as well as the communities
