Baraga County Leaders Changing How Law Enforcement Interacts with Mental Health Crisis Calls

Baraga County leadership is changing how law enforcement agencies interact with citizens going through a mental health crisis. During the past year Baraga County Sheriff Joesph Brogan, county commissioners, and Baraga County Memorial Hospital’s leadership have worked together to bring a new mental health response program to the community. Avel eCare will work with the hospital and local law enforcement agencies in Baraga County to provide mobile mental health support while on scene with an individual experiencing a crisis.

“But then ultimately we are de-criminalizing mental health. And we are reducing the stigma behind that. And so when we can de-escalate, and as Rob said, we can have the citizen stay in place. And then we will work with those citizens on the backside to help coordinate care for a local treatment program. So it’s my pleasure on behalf of Avel eCare to be here. Thank you all for your service and contribution.” – Matt Ditmanson, Business Development Director, Avel eCare Business Development

All five agencies will have access to the 24/7 Avel eCare for mental health crisis calls, including the Baraga County Sheriff, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Tribal Police, MSP Calumet Post troopers, Village of L’Anse Police, and Village of Baraga Police. Previously when police were called to assist citizens who were experiencing a mental health crisis, officers were required to follow arrest procedures and transport the individual to an emergency room, and looked after by two officers. With the new program, Avel eCare says that agencies should be able to reduce the amount of time allocated to mental health crisis calls. The Avel eCare program was supported in part by the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation and the Michigan Wealth endowment fund.