Crisis team to join Lexington police on mental health calls thanks to grant

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) — A crisis team can now be established to join Lexington police on mental health calls thanks to a grant the city received Thursday.

The grant money totals $850,000 and comes from the Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services.

This money will allow the city to hire a full-time mental health professional to respond directly to mental health calls with the Lexington Police Department. This grant will also provide overtime funding for police officers who have taken specialized training in responding to mental health emergencies, which includes approximately 45 officers.

“This is an enormous step forward in our ability to respond to mental health emergencies,” Mayor Linda Gorton said. “It will make it possible for us to provide the most appropriate response to an individual in crisis and connect them to the best resource.”

Fire Capt. Seth Lockard, who oversees the Community Paramedicine Program, said after studying when the city receives the most mental health calls, the plan is for the Crisis Response Team to work weekdays. The city receives about 3,000 mental health calls a year, with fewer calls coming in at night or on weekends.

“With a mental health professional involved, we may be able to provide a more focused approach for the person in crisis,” Lockard said. “Ultimately it is all about the citizen in need, and what is best for them.”