WCSO 2021 Annual Report - Flipbook - Page 10
MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSE TEAM
MHRT
OVERVIEW
We 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 the
community calls them to assist individuals experiencing
a crisis. In partnership with Washington County Mental
Health, the Sheriff’s Office has a program that offers
optimum response to those experiencing crisis in our
community: the Mental Health Response Team (MHRT).
The MHRT’s unique partnership of a master’s level mental
health clinician from Lifeworks NW and a highly-trained
law enforcement officer provides crisis intervention and
follow-up services in Washington County. The team
responds to calls together, allowing for a caring and
compassionate approach to those in crisis.
When called to assist an individual in crisis or emotional
distress, a part of the assistance provided includes
connecting them to safety net services for ongoing help.
In addition to providing on-scene crisis care, the MHRT
also improves the safety of responders, the community,
and the person experiencing emotional or mental
health needs.
Launched as a pilot project in February 2011, the MHRT
began as a single response team. By September 2012,
8 | WCSOOregon.org
- Sgt. Greener
WCSO added a second team to build on the positive
results of the first team, and respond to the increased
demand. The program remains growing as additional
funding becomes available for this dual-response model.
The MHRT continues to prove itself effective, supporting
the Sheriff’s Office’s commitment to providing a
compassionate response to behavioral health situations,
reducing the use of force, and improving the collective
safety of everyone involved.
With a proven track record of success and over a
decade of service, partner law enforcement agencies in
Washington County recognized the value this team
provides. Thanks to the support of municipal partners,
the MHRT is now a multi-agency team. In 2021, Beaverton
and Hillsboro Police Departments joined MHRT
participation full-time. The MHRT also includes a south
cities team comprised of Tigard, Tualatin, Sherwood, and
King City Police Departments.
Adding more teams increases these important services
in the county and connect more individuals in need with
mental health resources.
