DECATUR COUNTY, GA (WTXL) — A mental health co-responder program in Decatur County is changing how law enforcement responds to crisis calls — and what happens after. Kristi Meade, a licensed professional counselor, works alongside the Decatur County Sheriff's Office and Bainbridge Public Safety as the county's co-responder. She monitors 911 calls for signs that someone may be in crisis, helps determine what that person needs, and follows up within 48 to 72 hours of the initial call. The Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation provided a grant to support the program. Through it, neighbors can be connected to treatment, medication, therapy, housing, and employment. Since the program launched in 2025, the program has seen more than 298 individuals dealing with severe mental illness, substance abuse, and homelessness. Of those, 211 have received some form of treatment, either inpatient or outpatient. So far, 14 percent of neighbors served have been connected to housing and 16 percent to employment. Meade said the program gives law enforcement more options when responding to people in crisis. "Law enforcement has basically, they had two options when it came to individuals that were in crisis. It was either take them to jail or take them to the hospital, which then backs up the hospital resources, and it backs up the jail for an individual who may not necessarily need to be there. So, with this program, it gives a lot more options and tools for law enforcement to use in order to deal with…
*This content (including text, artwork, graphics, photography, and video) was provided by the third party(ies) as referenced above. Any rights or other content questions or inquiries should be directed to such third-party provider(s).
