Sheriff's Virtual Program Tackles Mental Health Crisis Calls

The Cook County Sheriff's Office in Illinois has implemented the Co-Responder Virtual Assistance Program (CVAP) to address mental health crises during 911 calls by virtually connecting clinicians with individuals in distress via tablets. This initiative aims to provide immediate mental health support while ensuring safety, addressing the shortage of mental health counselors, and reducing the risk of fatal encounters between law enforcement and individuals with serious mental illnesses. The program has shown promising results and is considered a cost-effective and scalable solution for other regions.