The Lynnfield Police Department has launched a new program to help residents access support for behavioral health needs. It is the Lynnfield Police Assisted Community Outreach Team (LCOT). The purpose of this new initiative is to help Lynnfield residents in times of crisis access appropriate mental health, substance use, and other community support services. Lynnfield, like other communities, has seen an uptick in police incidents involving individuals with serious behavioral health needs. Lynnfield officers are trained in crisis intervention and mental health first aid and prepared to provide an added layer of support for residents by working with an experienced team to connect people to services. Officers work with the Lynnfield Public Health Department, Lynnfield’s substance use prevention coordinator, and local agencies that serve people impacted by domestic violence, mental health, substance use, and more. Behavioral-health needs are diverse and impact many families.
Here’s how the program works: an outreach officer is available for wellness checks and post-incident follow-up. An officer will visit individuals after the police have been to an incident involving them, discuss options for services, and connect people with a service navigator, mental health clinician, recovery coach, or other team member. The officer respects every individual’s confidentiality and any decision to seek help is voluntary. Sometimes people just need to know help is available. This added layer of support and direct police outreach is made possible with new collaborations. With support from the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s COSSUP mentoring program, Essex County Outreach, and the state Department of Mental Health, the department will soon be able to access a part-time recovery coach, and a part-time licensed mental health clinician, sharing services across communities.
Our Lynnfield Police Department also successfully completed its pledge to the International Association of Chiefs of Police “One Mind” Campaign, meaning it has trained and certified 100% of its officers in mental health first aid and at least 20% of its staff in crisis intervention training.
December is a good month to make the community aware that there are extra resources in place, as the holiday season can be both a time of joy and a time of added stress. In addition to the Police Assisted Community Outreach Team, there are other resources residents can directly access.
The Town, through A Healthy Lynnfield, provides access to the Interface Help and Referral Line that helps an individual connect with any type of mental health counseling services. The HelpLine is open to all Lynnfield residents at no cost and has been a helpful tool in assisting families navigating a complicated health system and accessing a mental health provider that matches their health insurance, primary need, and has appointment availability. The Interface Helpline can be accessed by calling: 888-244-6843 (toll free); 617-332-3666 (local) Mon, Wed, Fri, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Tues, Thurs, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. This is a non-emergency service. The state Substance Use Helpline can be reached at 800-327-5050. The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provide free and confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
The Lynnfield Police are happy to assist the health and safety needs of residents with this newly launched initiative. For questions, reach out to Capt. DeCarlo or officer James Caponigro at cdecarlo@town.lynnfield.ma.us or 781-463-1212
