How APD wants to tackle mental health to prevent tragedy
Michael Lucero works closely with APD as a clinician to help the Crisis Intervention Unit. He says through the years, the department has been working to build a better way to help people struggling with mental health — and those who may be a danger to themselves and others.”We’re literally bringing clinical behavioral health to them,” Lucero said. “It became even more pivotal, and this unit became more pivotal moving forward.”APD says it’s also a part of the state’s Red Flag Laws to get guns out of the hands of people suffering mental health crises. The CIU team has fulfilled 44 calls to people over four years, but Lucero says not every case is a win.”It’s painful. It’s a human life,” Lucero said. “It’s a family member. It’s a brother. It’s a sister.”But not every case is a loss. Det. Coty Maxwell says dozens of visits happen weekly to check with people who are suffering. Maxwell says there are times when weapons need to be taken away. “Not only are we seeing some of these people are struggling and that shouldn’t have access to guns, but they are agreeing with us,” Maxwell said. “Being able to see them recover and do better and make some accomplishments, it’s very rewarding.”But it does take time.Lucero says if this work continues, he believes it will make Albuquerque safer down the line.”We’re trying to plant seeds,” Lucero said. “They may not grow today. They may not grow a month from now. They may not even grow a year or two from now, but maybe down the road, they will.”
Michael Lucero works closely with APD as a clinician to help the Crisis Intervention Unit.
He says through the years, the department has been working to build a better way to help people struggling with mental health — and those who may be a danger to themselves and others.
“We’re literally bringing clinical behavioral health to them,” Lucero said. “It became even more pivotal, and this unit became more pivotal moving forward.”
APD says it’s also a part of the state’s Red Flag Laws to get guns out of the hands of people suffering mental health crises. The CIU team has fulfilled 44 calls to people over four years, but Lucero says not every case is a win.
“It’s painful. It’s a human life,” Lucero said. “It’s a family member. It’s a brother. It’s a sister.”
But not every case is a loss. Det. Coty Maxwell says dozens of visits happen weekly to check with people who are suffering.
Maxwell says there are times when weapons need to be taken away.
“Not only are we seeing some of these people are struggling and that shouldn’t have access to guns, but they are agreeing with us,” Maxwell said. “Being able to see them recover and do better and make some accomplishments, it’s very rewarding.”
But it does take time.
Lucero says if this work continues, he believes it will make Albuquerque safer down the line.
“We’re trying to plant seeds,” Lucero said. “They may not grow today. They may not grow a month from now. They may not even grow a year or two from now, but maybe down the road, they will.”
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