Individuals in unincorporated Contra Costa County who recently suffer from a psychiatric emergency will benefit from a new unit called the Mental Health Evaluation Team (MHET), which is tasked with providing follow-up care and services for them, according to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office.
MHET is a partnership between the Sheriff’s Office and Contra Costa Behavioral Health Services that will provide follow-up health and welfare checks, evaluations, short-term case management and other services, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Deputy Sheriff Jennifer Yen has been appointed to the MHET. The new program aims to “develop and implement a rounded approach to assisting clients experiencing mental health issues” in collaboration with licensed mental health clinicians, other County departments, outside agencies, nonprofits and other service providers. Family members of people who suffer from crisis will also be supported by MHET with referrals and safety planning, among other services, the Sheriff’s Office said. Sheriff David Livingston called the program “proactive.”
“Our goal is to increase safety by reducing the number of repeated police calls regarding those who may be undergoing a psychiatric crisis and cut down on potentially violent encounters with law enforcement and the community,” Livingston said.
