Keeping people safe is a team effort. This was the case in the Village of Saranac Lake one day in the summer of 2021.  

Local police were called to a scene where a person was in crisis. A mental health therapist was also asked to intervene and although the support was declined by the individual, a higher level of care was needed. The therapist, working with police, housing officials and community services, developed a plan to support the individual in crisis. The therapist helped educate law enforcement on symptoms and criteria for responding to the individual. In addition, the therapist helped support housing with safety planning and worked with police to arrange transportation.

While a crisis situation like this is sadly all too common in our communities, this kind of response is relatively new.  With this innovative partnership, the therapist is actually part of a team, known as the Counselor and Law Enforcement Partnership (CALEP), where a licensed clinician works exclusively with the Saranac Lake Village Police Department. The clinician —either a Licensed Mental Health Counselor or a Licensed Master Social Worker—doesn’t ride along with police but is notified in the event of a mental health or substance abuse situation.

“Our community police departments are the frontline responders, who often put their lives at risk to save others and enforce the law,” said James Button, CEO of Citizen Advocates. “Recognizing the uncertainty police officers may confront, the presence of a trained mental health professional—when the need is determined—will improve the chances for a positive outcome by clinically assessing individuals and connecting them to the appropriate treatment and supports.”   

Following a risk assessment, individuals will be evaluated by the CALEP clinician to determine if immediate crisis intervention is needed. Otherwise, the clinician will provide one-on-one counseling in addition to follow-up appointments scheduled with the appropriate community provider.  

While there is no local data available yet, similar programs elsewhere in the nation have generated significant savings for public safety through avoidable visits to hospital emergency departments.  

“Individuals in crisis require specialized care, and that support must begin at the point of first contact,” said Suzanne Lavigne, a member of the partnership and the Director of Franklin County Community Services.  “We can support a community member in the moment of crisis and divert them away from our local emergency department and criminal justice system, and to professionals trained and skilled in responding to these types of situations. We need to ensure that supports and services are available immediately when a person needs help.”