Your Life Matters Part 9: The broader crisis and law enforcement perspective
By Garrett Christensen on Thursday, October 31st, 2024 in Featured Stories More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE — Welcome to Your Life Matters, a special project from the Elkhorn Media Group where we embark on a journey of compassion, understanding, and hope. In this space, we aim to shed light on a topic that often lingers in the shadows: suicide awareness. Here, we believe in the power of conversation to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and create a supportive community for those who need it most.
Each month, we’ll share personal stories of resilience, expert insights, and practical strategies to navigate the complexities of mental health. Our goal is to foster empathy, dispel myths, and provide a beacon of hope for those who may be struggling.
This month, we are checking in with La Grande Police Chief Gary Bell on various topics we initially discussed during our first two interviews in February and March 2024. Discussion this time includes local mental health calls to the regional dispatch center, how officers handle mental health cases, factors feeding into local mental health issues, and the various resources available to the community.
Unlike our previous segments, we weren’t able to speak in person or remotely this time. Instead of attaching an audio interview, we’ve written up a text Q&A with Chief Bell.
The full interview Q&A is as follows:
(EMG = Elkhorn Media Group)
(GB = Gary Bell)
(EMG) “When we last spoke, we talked about the regional dispatch center seeing a roughly one hundred percent increase in mental health related calls over the last three years. In the roughly ten months since we last spoke, do you have any new data regarding mental health and suicide related calls received over the regional dispatch center? If not complete data, have you, or staff at the dispatch center in general, noticed any changes in the number of mental health calls for service?”
- (GB) “As of October 1st this year, our 9-1-1 dispatch center has received a total of 490 mental health-related calls for service (CFS), with 422 of those specific to La Grande PD. This represents a modest 4% increase over the same period last year, indicating that mental health-related CFS have remained relatively stable this year.”
- (GB) “Regarding suicide-related calls, we’ve received 160 CFS related to suicide, attempted suicide, or suicide threats, with 107 specific to La Grande PD. This figure marks a 27% decrease from the same period last year. While this reduction is encouraging, we recognize the importance of monitoring this trend over a longer timeframe to determine its consistency and underlying factors.”
- (GB) “Overall, the data reflects some stability in mental health-related calls with a noteworthy decrease in suicide-related calls. We’ll continue to track these numbers closely to better understand and respond to any shifts.”
(EMG) “Similarly, one thing we discussed last time was the “dwell time” of cases and how mental health calls generally have greatly increased dwell time. Again, over the past year, has there been any changes in the average dwell time experienced by officers due to mental health cases?”
- (GB) “When we refer to the ‘dwell time’ of a call for service (CFS), we’re describing the duration that one or more officers are occupied with a specific call, preventing them from responding to additional CFS or engaging in other policing activities. Unfortunately, mental health-related CFS continue to require significantly extended dwell times, and we have not seen any reduction in this burden over the past year. These calls remain highly resource-intensive, impacting our ability to respond promptly to other community needs.”
- (GB) “I would like to add that we maintain a strong working relationship with our partners in the behavioral health unit at the Center for Human Development (CHD). They assist us by providing support and, when appropriate, relieving our officers on certain CFS, which helps to mitigate some of the pressures we face.”
(EMG) “Have law enforcement noticed any local changes or trends that may be contributing to the current volume of mental health cases, for better or worse?”
- (GB) “We’ve noticed several trends we believe may be influencing the volume of mental health cases. Increased community awareness and advocacy, especially with the introduction of the nationwide 988 system for mental health support, have encouraged individuals to seek help before crisis escalate. This system provides a direct line to trained professionals, making it easier for those in need to access support. Collaboration with local organizations like CHD has also improved resource access with the intent and hope that it will result in a decrease in CFS into our 9-1-1 center.”
- (GB) “This being said, ongoing stressors such as economic challenges, social isolation, and drug use in our community may be exacerbating mental health issues. While there are positive developments, these pressures continue to contribute to the volume of mental health cases.”
(EMG) “Back in march, after our initial interview, the Police Department hosted a Mental Health First Aid course for its officers. Combined with other training over the past year, has the Police Department’s ability to respond to mental health related calls improved or changed at all?”
- (GB) “Yes, we have made significant strides in our ability to respond to mental health-related calls through our continuous training efforts. We are committed to providing regular training to our officers to equip them with the skills and knowledge needed to meet the challenges they face in the field.”
- (GB) “While this ongoing training is invaluable – enhancing our officers’ responses to mental health crises and fostering a more compassionate approach to serving our community – it’s also a challenge to balance training needs with the workload our officers experience. Nonetheless, we recognize the importance of adapting to evolving needs and will continue to prioritize training to ensure our officers are well-prepared to support those in need.”
(EMG) “To clarify, was this a one-off training or has it continued to be offered to officers since March?”
- (GB) “The Mental Health First Aid course was a one-time offering, but we may consider revisiting it in the future. However, our commitment to training is ongoing and integral to our operations. We continuously provide our officers with various training opportunities, including topics such as de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention, and other essential skills that enhance their ability to respond effectively to the community’s needs. This focus on ongoing education ensures that our officers are well-equipped to handle a range of situations, including mental health-related calls.”
(EMG) “Have there been any other new programs, training, or initiatives from the La Grande Police department over the past year to address trends in local mental health calls, or just changes in policy?”
- (GB) “With the passage of HB 4002, which recriminalized certain drug offenses, the La Grande Police Department has provided training to our officers to effectively manage situations arising from this legislation. We have collaborated with and support the District Attorney’s deferred prosecution program, which connects individuals with treatment options instead of relying solely on the criminal justice system. These efforts reflect our commitment to improving mental health outcomes in our community, as many mental health challenges are often intertwined with substance use issues.”
(EMG) “Since we last spoke, there have been some local efforts to address the factors feeding into mental health decline, such as funding being provided to the deflection program. From the perspective of law enforcement, what else do you think can realistically be done to address suicide and mental health in our community, or at least abate the more extreme cases”
- (GB) “From a law enforcement perspective, the recriminalization of drugs is a positive step toward addressing the factors contributing to mental health decline. We continually work to strengthen our valued partnerships with local mental health organizations, like CHD, to ensure a coordinated response to these crises. The ongoing community education initiatives spearheaded by our partners are essential for raising awareness and reducing stigma around mental health issues. We remain committed to doing what we can toward ensuring that mental health resources are easily accessible and well-publicized within the community.”
(EMG) “Like last time, are there any local or national resources you’d recommend to people who are struggling with mental health or know somebody who is?”
- (GB) “Yes, there are several valuable resources available for individuals struggling with mental health or those who know someone in need of support. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please take one of the following actions:
- Call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.
- Contact the crisis line for our partners at the Center for Human Development (CHD) at 541-962-8800.
- You can also always call 911, especially if you or someone is experiencing a medical emergency.”
(EMG) “Is there anything else you’d like to share or add?”
- (GB) “To anyone struggling with mental health issues or addiction, I want to emphasize that you are not alone, and there is help available. It’s important to reach out and connect with supportive resources in our community. Seeking help is a courageous step, and there are professionals and organizations ready to assist you on your journey toward recovery. Please don’t hesitate to reach out—there is hope, and you deserve support.”
Resources form the center for human development can be found at: https://www.chdinc.org/
Our original interview with Chief Bell and Lieutenant Jason Hays can be found at: https://elkhornmediagroup.com/your-life-matters-a-journey-of-compassion-understanding-and-hope-a-look-at-suicide-prevention-awareness-and-mental-health/
Join us next month for another conversation with local experts. Our previous segment can be found at https://elkhornmediagroup.com/your-life-matters-part-8-reflecting-on-local-resources/
Remember, you are not alone, reach out for help by calling the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States. Local resources also include New Directions Northwest in Baker County- 541-519-7126, and Center for Human Development in Union County – 541-962-8800, option 6.
