City of Methuen Recognizes Co-Responder and Crisis Responder Week, Touts Early Success of Programs

METHUEN — Mayor Neil Perry is pleased to report that the City of Methuen is recognizing National Co-Responder and Crisis Responder Week and touting the success of the Methuen’s new PATH Program.

National Co-Responder and Crisis Responder Week lasts from Sunday, Sept. 15 to Saturday, Sept. 21. It was created by the International Co-Responder Alliance last year to recognize and celebrate co-responders and crisis responders across the country, while also bringing attention to the rising demand for mental health and substance use services.

The Methuen City Council issued a proclamation making this week Co-Responder and Crisis Responder Week in Methuen as well.

“Mayor Neil Perry, and the Methuen City Council, sign this proclamation to formally name the week of September 15-September 21, as the City of Methuen Co-Responders Week, to express our appreciation and gratitude for all co-responders and crisis mental health professionals working in the City of Methuen,” the proclamation states.

The City of Methuen Mental Health Task Force, Methuen Police and Front Line Services partnered earlier this year to launch a comprehensive community behavioral health program known as the PATH Program.

The PATH Program provides a robust response to community behavioral health concerns and includes a Crisis Intervention Team comprised of an officer and clinician providing direct response to mental health crises; a Community Response Team comprised of a clinician and peer specialist providing assistance, outreach and education to the community of Methuen; and a PATH Rapid Outpatient team to provide immediate access to short-term outpatient services for those in need.

The program is funded in part by several grants from the U.S. Department of Justice, including a $400,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office), as well as a $550,000 Justice Mental Health Collaborative Partnership grant from the Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance. Additional funding in part is provided by the City of Methuen. 

The PATH program is the result of work conducted by the Methuen Mental Health Task Force, comprised of members of the Police Department, Fire Department, Senior Center, Schools, Library, Health Department and other community stakeholders. 

In just the first 90 days, the PATH Program has received 92 referrals, conducted 118 community outreach visits, co-responded to 21 911 calls, and provided care in 15 cases in which co-responders were able to divert patients from hospital emergency room visits.

In one particular early success story, PATH Crisis Co-Responder Krystal was able to work with Methuen Police and Fire to aid a community member who was in crisis. In lieu of completing paperwork to transport the community member to a local hospital, the PATH Crisis Co-Responder was able to provide in-community care for the individual. During the course of the encounter, it was uncovered that there were financial issues and general anxiety that was creating a crisis. The Clinician and the responding officer were able to aid the community member with resolving issues related to medication and their car. The Clinician and officer were able to mitigate the underlying concerns causing the acute mental health crisis and they were able to work with the individual on providing a plan for receiving ongoing support in the community not with just mental health concerns but also everyday life challenges that were causing the community member stress.

 “This is a phenomenal example of the community centered supports and care that the PATH Program seeks to provide every day,” said Matthew Page-Shelton, President and CEO of Front Line Services. “It is also just one example of the dedicated and compassionate work that co-responders and crisis responders in Methuen and across the country are providing. I want to thank Mayor Perry, the City Council and the Methuen Mental Health Task Force for making community mental health one of their top priorities.” 

“Co-Responder and Crisis Responder Week recognizes the tireless dedication of those who serve on the frontlines of emergencies, providing support when it’s needed most. This week serves as a vital reminder of their invaluable role in protecting and healing our community,” Mayor Neil Perry stated. “The success of the PATH program is a testament to what can be accomplished when we invest in innovative solutions that directly benefit our community. Through collaborative efforts and a commitment to progress, we’ve seen measurable improvements that are having a positive impact on people’s lives here in the city.”