7-06-2023 6:10am

Suicide Awareness and Alamogordo’s Crisis Intervention Team

Chris Edwards Editor

With yet another life lost in Alamogordo per the Alamogordo Police “at approximately 2300 hrs, APD, AFD and AMR units responded to a crash with injuries. Upon arrival, Officers observed a white Hyundai Santa Fe had crashed through a fence and into a guard rail. It was soon discovered the male driver sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Life saving measures were performed however unsuccessful. Detectives and OMI arrived on scene and next of kin was notified. Investigation continues.”

It’s important to recognize assistance and support is available in the Alamogordo community…

The Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) provides professional intervention for children, youth & adults who are experiencing a mental health crisis. MCRT Units primarily respond to in-progress calls to support Patrol and conduct outreach with individuals experiencing mental illness or mental health crisis. MCRT Units are able to respond at the request of the incident commander, to critical incidents that involve subjects who are in extreme states of behavioral crisis. The MCRT provides short-term on-site crisis assessment and intervention for children, youth, and adults experiencing a mental health crisis. The main objective and goal of the MCRT is to de-escalate a situation safely and resolve the mental health crisis for all individuals involved when reasonable, practical, and consistent with established safety priorities.

This is a completely grant-funded program through the Alamogordo Police Department. Officers now have this amazing resource to call upon when they see a crisis that needs more than just a patrol officer on the scene. The MCRT is comprised of a Clinical Director (an independently licensed social worker), a certified CIT Alamogordo Police Officer, and Peer Support Specialists.

MCRT is a dedicated team that supports the Alamogordo Police Department and Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) officers along with the citizens of Alamogordo who are having a mental health crisis.

The MCRT’s primary objectives

Reduce unnecessary criminal justice system involvement among people living with a mental illness and/or substance use disorder or who are experiencing a mental health crisis.
Increase connection to appropriate evaluation, treatment, and support services among people experiencing a mental health crisis.
Develop community partnerships to coordinate services for those living with mental illness and/or substance use disorders.
Assists officers by providing additional crisis intervention skills, referrals to services, education, and outreach for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.

YOU HAVE THE POWER TO SAY,
“THIS IS NOT HOW MY STORY WILL END.”

Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training

Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training is a community partnership of law enforcement, mental

health and addiction professionals, individuals who live with mental illness and/or addiction disorders, their families, and other advocates. It is a first-responder model of police-based crisis intervention training to help persons with mental health disorders and/or addictions access appropriate referrals and medical treatment with the intent of improving the outcomes of these situations. CIT improves communication and promotes officer safety and the safety of the person in crisis. The Alamogordo Police Department CIT Training Program has been training law enforcement and their community partners since 2019. The benefits of CIT include giving officers more tools to do their job safely and effectively, reducing stigma about mental health, and increasing the likelihood that individuals will receive mental health services. Truly a community collaboration, each CIT Training includes over 20 instructors and community partners who share their expertise, resources, or personal story.

What is Mental Illness?

Problems with feeling, thinking, and/or perception negatively impact the ability to relate to others and/or function. A small percentage of individuals with mental illness are severely impacted and have lifelong needs.

Suicide Awareness

Thoughts of suicide can affect anyone regardless of age or gender. Suicidal thoughts should not be considered normal and often indicate more serious issues and should be taken as such. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-273-8255