MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSE TEAMMHRTOVERVIEWWe are here to help. If you or someone you love is experiencing a crisis, please call the Crisis Team at 503-291-9111,Non-Emergency 503-629-0111, or 9-1-1 in an emergency.Deputies respond to various calls on patrol, and often thecommunity calls them to assist individuals experiencinga crisis. In partnership with Washington County MentalHealth, the Sheriff’s Office has a program that offersoptimum response to those experiencing crisis in ourcommunity: the Mental Health Response Team (MHRT).The MHRT’s unique partnership of a master’s level mentalhealth clinician from Lifeworks NW and a highly-trainedlaw enforcement officer provides crisis intervention andfollow-up services in Washington County. The teamresponds to calls together, allowing for a caring andcompassionate approach to those in crisis. When called to assist an individual in crisis or emotionaldistress, a part of the assistance provided includesconnecting them to safety net services for ongoing help.In addition to providing on-scene crisis care, the MHRTalso improves the safety of responders, the community,and the person experiencing emotional or mentalhealth needs. Launched as a pilot project in February 2011, the MHRTbegan as a single response team. By September 2012,8 | WCSOOregon.org- Sgt. GreenerWCSO added a second team to build on the positiveresults of the first team, and respond to the increaseddemand. The program remains growing as additionalfunding becomes available for this dual-response model.The MHRT continues to prove itself effective, supportingthe Sheriff’s Office’s commitment to providing acompassionate response to behavioral health situations,reducing the use of force, and improving the collectivesafety of everyone involved.With a proven track record of success and over adecade of service, partner law enforcement agencies inWashington County recognized the value this teamprovides. Thanks to the support of municipal partners,the MHRT is now a multi-agency team. In 2021, Beavertonand Hillsboro Police Departments joined MHRTparticipation full-time. The MHRT also includes a southcities team comprised of Tigard, Tualatin, Sherwood, andKing City Police Departments. Adding more teams increases these important servicesin the county and connect more individuals in need withmental health resources.
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