GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) – People who battle mental illnesses or substance abuse are getting the help they need thanks to the Gainesville Police Department and the Meridian Healthcare co-respondents program.
Whether it’s a diagnosis, medication adjustment or a stabilization, these co-responders are on-call and drive 40 hours a week to assess the next steps in a patient’s care plan.
“Our co-responder team is a combination of a law enforcement officer and a mental health clinician,” said Officer Sarah Reeves. “We respond out to individuals who are in crisis. Our teams go out, we look at the situation, and we determine what’s the best course for them.”…