Police, counselor cooperation vital
As a mental health and substance use treatment professional with several decades of experience, I applaud the action taken by the Village of Arlington Heights to extend their use of a mental health counselor to accompany police on calls. They join a relatively small, but growing number of municipalities in the state that pair trained counselors with police officers to assess specific situations. This reduces the risk of harm to those on the scene and serves to provide information and treatment for the individual and their family, as well as decreases the odds of harm to an officer.
The initial assessment by a highly-trained mental health professional can provide a direct stream for treatment and prove integral for the long-term success of the alleged instigator.
Treatment pays off. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports that the majority of those who receive treatment remain well, with 58.7 million adults who perceived they ever had a mental health problem, 66.5% (or 38.8 million) considering themselves to be in recovery or to have recovered. For those with substance use disorders specifically, of the 29 million adults who perceived that they ever had a substance use problem, 72.2% (or 20.9 million) considered themselves to be in recovery or to have recovered.
Comorbidity of mental illness and substance abuse is common. In layman’s terms, that means that an individual with substance abuse disorder may also be struggling with a mental illness and vice versa.
These are powerful numbers and provide a compelling rationale for creating permanent, full-time positions assigned to all police forces. Illinois congressional leaders are taking this a step further, with pending legislation that provides pay and benefit parity with police officers.
Keep up the good work. The professional substance use treatment and mental health community looks forward to the day when 100% of our municipalities staff licensed mental health professionals within their police forces.
Karen Wolownik Albert, CEO
Recovery Centers of America
St. Charles