How Metro Nashville authorities respond to mental health calls

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – In recent months, law enforcement officers have been called to respond to multiple people experiencing a mental health crisis.

One of the most recent incidents occurred this week on the Korean Veterans Boulevard bridge. When calls go out related to mental health crises, police and paramedics aren’t the only ones who respond.

A vigil was held for the MTSU student who died by suicide

“Everyone is doing everything they can to try to achieve a safe outcome for someone in crisis,” said Michael Randolph, director of co-response services at the Mental Health Care Cooperative.

The objectives of the program include:

Improve access to care for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis.
Guide consumers away from the criminal justice system and toward healthcare.
Improve communication and coordination between all healthcare systems.
Increase the safety of everyone involved in crisis interactions.

Mental health crises have become a crippling reality for thousands of Tennesseans. The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) has released the Partners with Care program. Since the program launched in June 2021, Partners in Care units have responded to more than 27,500 calls for assistance. More than 6,000 of the calls Partners in Care responded to were mental health crisis calls.

“They may hear voices or experience delusions when they really need help at that moment,” says Randolph.

If you are considering self-harm, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24 hours a day at 1-800-273-8255.

Tuesday was the Nashville Fire Department called to the Korean Veterans Bridge “for a potential jumper” that turned into a call to rescue someone who was afraid to get off the high bridge. Several Metro Nashville crews, including MNPD and the Mental Health Cooperative, worked together to get the person down safely.

Nashville’s first responders are committed and committed to helping (RANGE) program also partners with the Nashville Fire Department and works with mental health physicians.

“In our REACH program, approximately 73 percent are actively suicidal during their REACH call,” Randolph added. “These numbers are incredibly high for acuity and these programs are designed – and the training for the officers and paramedics – are all designed to meet the acute need facing this community.”

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a prevention network of 161 crisis centers that provides a 24/7 toll-free hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

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