Building Bridges Between Mental Health and Law Enforcement

Discover how Missouri became a pioneer in addressing mental health crises through an innovative law enforcement partnership. Dr. Rick Gowdy and Ted Solomon share their journey in creating the groundbreaking Community Behavioral Health Liaison (CBHL) program, launched in response to the Sandy Hook tragedy.Learn how this vital initiative evolved from a challenging start to become a model program, successfully placing 31 liaisons across Missouri to support law enforcement in mental health situations. Despite initial skepticism from law enforcement and pressure to expand beyond its core mission, the program maintained its focus and built crucial trust through consistent delivery of services.The success story continues with Governor Parson's strong support, leading to expanded services and statewide roundtables that elevated the conversation about mental health in communities. The program's growth led to quadrupled referrals and more targeted support, proving that prevention-focused mental health initiatives can create lasting positive change.Tune in to hear how this remarkable collaboration between mental health professionals and law enforcement is transforming crisis response and saving lives in Missouri.