Advisory
MERIDIAN- Members of the media are invited to help #StopTheStigma behind mental health by attending a kickoff event for Mental Health Awareness Month. Meridian Police Department will be introducing their new Crisis Intervention Team and unveiling the new Meridian Police Department Mental Health Awareness Vehicle.
WHEN: Monday, May 2, 2022, 11:00am-11:30am
WHERE: In front of the Meridian Police Department, 1401 East Watertower Street, Meridian ID 83642
WHO: Meridian Mayor Robert Simison; Meridian Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea; Meridian Police Department Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)
WHAT: In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Meridian Police Department has wrapped a patrol vehicle with a green ribbon, a symbol of mental health awareness, and the slogan #StopTheStigma, a National Campaign to end the stigma surrounding mental health and create hope for those impacted by mental illness. Meridian Mayor Simison, Meridian Police Department, Idaho Crisis and Suicide Hotline, Northpointe Recovery, Courageous Survival, and other key community partners are working together to focus on the mental health of Meridian residents. On Monday, May 2, Meridian Police Department and these key community partners will come together to unveil the new vehicle and discuss services available to those in need.
One way the Meridian Police Department is combatting this stigma of Mental Health and providing services to residents, is the establishment of a new Crisis Intervention Team. This team focuses on assisting individuals who contact 911 during a mental health crisis. This team is comprised of two officers with enhanced training working with youth and adults struggling with their mental health and a mental health clinician. On May 2, Meridian Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea will officially introduce Officer Horvath, Officer Panter, and Clinician Sam Luque to the Meridian Community.
“Mental health impacts everyone in our community; every walk of life and every profession, even those who are here to help you. We often forget the only difference between our first responders and those we serve, is the uniform we wear. As a community, we need to be willing to have the tough conversations with our friends and family members to help break the stigma of mental health. Mental health is a concern in our community and we need to continue working towards finding better ways to support our loved ones,” said Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea.
Meridian Mayor Robert Simison will be presenting a City Proclamation, declaring the Month of May as Mental Health Awareness Month.
“As we see the impact that mental health is having in our communities, I am excited to see the proactive efforts of the Meridian Police Department to ask for, and deploy resources to this need. From public awareness to execution in the field with the Crisis Intervention Team, we are committed to having the right resource for the right situation in order to provide direct benefit to those individuals and families who are facing mental health challenges in their daily lives,” said Mayor Simison.
After reading the proclamation, Mayor Simison, Meridian Police Department, and key community partners will together unveil the Meridian Police Department’s new Mental Health Awareness Patrol Car.
This is a public event and those interested are invited to attend. Mayor Simison, Chief Basterrechea, and partners from the Mental Health Community will be available for interviews once the event is complete. Media interested in attending are asked to coordinate with the Public Information Officer Kelsey Johnston.
Media Invited to New Vehicle Unveiling: Mental Health is a Priority in Meridian
MERIDIAN POLICE DEPARTMENT
MEDIA ADVISORY: April 27, 2022
CONTACT: Kelsey Johnston, Public Information Officer, [email protected]
Media Invited to New Vehicle Unveiling: Mental Health is a Priority in Meridian
MERIDIAN- Members of the media are invited to help #StopTheStigma behind mental health by attending a kickoff event for Mental Health Awareness Month. Meridian Police Department will be introducing their new Crisis Intervention Team and unveiling the new Meridian Police Department Mental Health Awareness Vehicle.
WHEN: Monday, May 2, 2022, 11:00am-11:30am
WHERE: In front of the Meridian Police Department, 1401 East Watertower Street, Meridian ID 83642
WHO: Meridian Mayor Robert Simison; Meridian Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea; Meridian Police Department Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)
WHAT: In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Meridian Police Department has wrapped a patrol vehicle with a green ribbon, a symbol of mental health awareness, and the slogan #StopTheStigma, a National Campaign to end the stigma surrounding mental health and create hope for those impacted by mental illness. Meridian Mayor Simison, Meridian Police Department, Idaho Crisis and Suicide Hotline, Northpointe Recovery, Courageous Survival, and other key community partners are working together to focus on the mental health of Meridian residents. On Monday, May 2, Meridian Police Department and these key community partners will come together to unveil the new vehicle and discuss services available to those in need.
One way the Meridian Police Department is combatting this stigma of Mental Health and providing services to residents, is the establishment of a new Crisis Intervention Team. This team focuses on assisting individuals who contact 911 during a mental health crisis. This team is comprised of two officers with enhanced training working with youth and adults struggling with their mental health and a mental health clinician. On May 2, Meridian Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea will officially introduce Officer Horvath, Officer Panter, and Clinician Sam Luque to the Meridian Community.
“Mental health impacts everyone in our community; every walk of life and every profession, even those who are here to help you. We often forget the only difference between our first responders and those we serve, is the uniform we wear. As a community, we need to be willing to have the tough conversations with our friends and family members to help break the stigma of mental health. Mental health is a concern in our community and we need to continue working towards finding better ways to support our loved ones,” said Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea.
Meridian Mayor Robert Simison will be presenting a City Proclamation, declaring the Month of May as Mental Health Awareness Month.
“As we see the impact that mental health is having in our communities, I am excited to see the proactive efforts of the Meridian Police Department to ask for, and deploy resources to this need. From public awareness to execution in the field with the Crisis Intervention Team, we are committed to having the right resource for the right situation in order to provide direct benefit to those individuals and families who are facing mental health challenges in their daily lives,” said Mayor Simison.
After reading the proclamation, Mayor Simison, Meridian Police Department, and key community partners will together unveil the Meridian Police Department’s new Mental Health Awareness Patrol Car.
This is a public event and those interested are invited to attend. Mayor Simison, Chief Basterrechea, and partners from the Mental Health Community will be available for interviews once the event is complete. Media interested in attending are asked to coordinate with the Public Information Officer Kelsey Johnston.
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The Meridian Police Department’s mission is to provide the highest quality service in partnership with the community to preserve and protect life and property through education, prevention and enforcement. The department has 133 police officers and 41 non-sworn staff dedicated to making Meridian a great place to live, work and raise a family.
Address/Location
Meridian Police Department
1401 E Watertower St
Meridian, ID 83642
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 208-888-6678
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