The city of Lexington is launching a new response team to assist police with mental health-related calls. An $850,000 federal grant allows the city to hire a full-time mental health professional. Fire Captain Seth Lockard says the new approach will allow for new counselor Chris Perrine and one police officer, initially. “And that type of model helps to de-escalate the crisis. If you show up with eight first responders in your house and you’re in the middle of a crisis, that doesn’t help things,” said Lockard. Perrine noted after talking to an individual with a behavioral crisis, he could make recommendations for assistance. He added it can help reduce a negative stigma and build a bridge between public safety and those in need for positive interaction. Admitting it may sound a bit odd, but Chris Perrine said sometimes it comes down to more casual one-on-one talk. “I think it’s really just being a human and not having the badge and maybe not having the uniform and kind of going in plain clothes and just providing somebody an individual or a human to talk to and just kind of listen and hear them out and what they’re going through,” said Perrine. As Fire Chief Jason Wells said, it helps to, quote, “ensure the right help to the right person at the right time.” The City receives about 3000 mental health calls a year, with the majority during the week. Seth Lockard said there is not one primary behavioral crisis. In addition to the mental health professional, the $850,000 federal grant will also provide overtime funding for police officers trained in responding to mental health emergencies. Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton said a mental health professional will allow for a more focused approach to a person in crisis. ** WEKU is working hard to be a leading source for public service, and fact-based journalism. Monthly supporters are the top funding source for this growing nonprofit news organization. Please join others in your community who support WEKU by making your donation. The post Lexington emergency response to behavioral crisis now includes a mental health professional appeared first on The Lexington Times.