CCSO IRIS Program brings mental health professionals to assist those in crisis

CHARLOTTE COUNTY- Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office launching a new program that brings Mental Health professionals out to the scene to help them with people going through crisis.

The IRIS program partners the Charlotte Sheriff’s Office with Charlotte Behavioral Health and Charlotte EMS to jointly respond to mental health calls.

“The idea is to have the mental health components and needs immediately available for the community,” Sgt. Brandon said.

Sgt. Craig Brandon says as mental health services depleted, Law Enforcement filled the gaps.

“As we’ve seen across the country,” Sgt. Brandon said. “Law Enforcement is not the best response for these kinds of situations, and unfortunately sometimes those situations go really bad.”

The program will bring the professionals directly to the people and families of those in crisis.