6 days ago
Mesa County Sheriff's Office highlights Mental Health Clinicians for EMS week
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — From May 21 to May 28, the Mesa County Sheriff's Office created a series of social media posts to highlight its Mental Health Clinicians of the Mesa County Sheriff's Office Co-Response Team for EMS week.
In 2023, the Mesa County Co-Response was initiated to improve the response to mental health crises in the community by integrating clinicians into patrol teams. The Mental Health Clinicians respond to emergency calls and work together with a deputy to de-escalate situations that could lead to arrest or hospitalization, assess individuals and direct them to local resources.
The highlighted Mental Health Clinicians include:
Dr. Pamela Shannahan-Sturgon, who is the Mesa County Sheriff's Office Co-Response Team Clinical Supervisor and has a doctorate in behavioral health. Shannahan-Sturgon has over 20 years of clinical and supervisory experience, in which she has developed and led integrated health and behavioral health programs for underserved populations.
Paul McGinnet, who started his professional mental health career at Mind Springs Health before he transitioned to the sheriff's office to serve in Co-Response. In the post, McGinnet said, 'I am deeply passionate about my work, as I thrive on helping individuals in crisis and connecting them with resources that can help them avoid unnecessary psychiatric admissions or incarceration.'
Liz Elliot, a mental health professional who has been in the human services field since 2013 after graduating from Aurora University in Illinois. She has gained experience in interacting with different community members, helping with regulation and de-escalation and providing individualized resources.
Justin Morgan, a Mental Health Clinician with experience in veterinary technology and mental health. Morgan has been a mental health worker and team lead at an inpatient facility, a crisis clinician for both mobile and walk-in clinics. He has been a co-responder since April 2024.
Tara Butson, a mental health professional with licensed experience in addiction counseling and social work, has served in roles such as a jail-based behavioral health therapist for San Miguel and Archuleta counties and as an adolescent and family case manager.
Michael LeFebre, a licensed clinical social worker who has worked as a mental health clinician for over 35 years. In the post, LeFebre said, 'It has been extremely gratifying to work in Mesa County supporting and promoting the wellness of our community.'
The final post in the series from the Mesa County Sheriff's Office also mentions the two Co-Response Deputies in the program: Deputies Huisjen and Strauch, who have received specialized mental and behavioral health training.
'Co-Response addresses the unique mental health needs of the community, and we look forward to seeing the program flourish,' the Mesa County Sheriff's Office stated in the final post.
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