Collaboration is key to local mental health response
Courtesy of the Mountain View Police Department
Lt. Armando Espitia, leader of MVPD’s Crisis Negotiation Team, left, works with a colleague during a field operation.
More than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, it should come as no surprise the stressors of home confinement, financial difficulty and the threat of illness and even death have weighed heavily on many. Recognizing this, local agencies are fortifying existing mental health services and launching new efforts to assist individuals struggling with crisis. A recent incident in Mountain View illustrates the strides they’re taking to adapt and work cohesively together to address rising demands for help.