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Crisis clinician says ride-alongs with police reduce emergency-room trips
Summary
Victoria Palmisano, a crisis clinician with the Jail Diversion Program, told the COA board she rides with Sharon and Westwood police to support residents in mental-health crisis, helps reduce hospital transports, and serves as a resource for officers on suicide and related issues.
Victoria Palmisano, a crisis clinician with the Jail Diversion Program, told the COA Advisory Board on April 13 that she rides with Sharon Police three days a week and Westwood Police two days a week to assist residents experiencing mental-health crises.
Palmisano said her presence at crisis scenes helps reduce the number of people being taken to emergency rooms, lowers stress for residents and officers, and provides on-scene support for suicide risk assessment and other behavioral-health issues. She described her work as part of the town’s Care Team and said she also serves as a resource to officers responding to mental-health calls.
Board members asked Palmisano questions about her responsibilities and caseload; she answered a range of operational questions about how the program coordinates with police and community services. The presentation emphasized diversion from hospital emergency departments when appropriate and the clinician’s role in linking residents to community resources.
The COA board’s discussion was limited to the presentation and Q&A; no formal action or vote followed the guest remarks. The board proceeded to the director’s report and other routine business.
