Police Officer's Compassionate Intervention Saves Suicidal Man on Bridge Ledge

Law enforcement officers across the United States are facing new challenges as they encounter individuals in the midst of mental health crises. The Cook County Sheriff's Office is pioneering a program to improve the response to these situations, aiming to provide better support and assistance to individuals in distress.

Officer Dave Stiak found himself facing a critical situation in February when he responded to a call about a person contemplating suicide on a bridge in Lemont, Illinois. Stiak, with his partner, skillfully approached the man and provided the support he needed, ultimately preventing a tragic outcome. "I was able to reach out, put a hand on his shoulder and console this man… I give the man a hug," Stiak recounted. "My partner was there at the right time. We pulled him back over the railing." This incident underscores the challenges that law enforcement officers often confront when dealing with mental health crises.

New Approaches to Crisis Intervention

Recognizing the limitations of traditional law enforcement responses to mental health crises, cities nationwide are exploring innovative approaches to de-escalate these situations. The Cook County Sheriff's Office has introduced the Co-Responder Virtual Assistance Program (CVAP), which enables officers to connect with mental health clinicians via tablets during crisis calls. This pioneering initiative allows for immediate access to specialized support without jeopardizing the safety of the clinicians.

Elli Montgomery, the executive director of the Treatment Response Team, shared a success story involving the use of the CVAP. "An officer that was very hesitant to work with us and not interested in doing this, but had tried everything to de-escalate an individual who was off their medication, is a boxer, suffering from bipolar disorder," she described. Through the program, a clinician was able to effectively engage with the individual and facilitate a positive resolution, highlighting the value of specialized mental health support in crisis situations.

The Impact of Mental Health Crises

Recent data from the Cook County Sheriff's Office revealed that there have been over 1,000 calls related to suicidal subjects and more than 1,300 well-being checks since 2020. These figures underscore the prevalence of mental health crises and the need for enhanced interventions to protect individuals in distress. Moreover, statistics from the Treatment Advocacy Center indicate that a significant portion of law enforcement shootings involve individuals with untreated serious mental illness, emphasizing the urgency of addressing this issue.

Law enforcement officers often find themselves ill-equipped to handle mental health crises, as Officer Stiak candidly acknowledged, "They don't train you this is exactly what you do: This is the step A through Z of how to talk someone off of a bridge," Stiak said. "It's not really a police thing." This recognition is driving efforts to integrate mental health professionals into crisis response teams, allowing for more effective and compassionate interventions.

The Role of Specialized Training

Emily Dahl, a person diagnosed with bipolar disorder, emphasized the critical need for trained clinicians in crisis situations. Drawing from her personal experiences, she highlighted the challenges of reasoning with individuals in a heightened state of distress. "When you're in fight or flight, you can't reason with somebody in that state," she stressed. Dahl's perspective underscores the importance of having specialized professionals who are equipped to de-escalate such situations effectively.

Sheriff Tom Dart emphasized the potential impact of the Co-Responder Virtual Assistance Program, asserting that it could effectively serve a wide range of communities. He underscored the need to direct the right resources to individuals in crisis, emphasizing the immediate and tangible benefits of the program. Dart's office revealed that the CVAP currently covers 31 suburban police departments, with plans for further expansion, positioning it as a scalable model that can be implemented across different regions.

Addressing Workforce Shortages

Despite the growing demand for mental health services, there is a significant shortage of qualified professionals in this field. The pandemic has exacerbated this issue, with approximately 49% of Americans residing in areas facing a mental health workforce shortage. This underscores the need for comprehensive and accessible support services, particularly in crisis situations.

The Co-Responder Virtual Assistance Program represents a pivotal step towards transforming crisis response strategies across law enforcement agencies. By integrating mental health clinicians into crisis intervention teams, this program has the potential to not only save lives but also establish a more compassionate and specialized approach to addressing mental health crises.