Sioux County has seen a significant rise in mental health-related incidents, putting increasing pressure on local law enforcement. In response, the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office has established a new Mental Health Unit to better handle these complex situations. The initiative is part of a broader effort to address the critical shortage of mental health services in rural Iowa.
Context and Challenges
Sioux County, like many rural areas in Iowa, faces a critical shortage of mental health-care providers. Since 2007, several nonprofit Iowa hospitals have closed their inpatient psychiatric units. Additionally, former Governor Terry Branstad closed two of the state’s four mental health institutes in 2015. This has left a gap in services, with many remaining facilities struggling with staffing shortages and financial constraints. As a result, law enforcement often becomes the first line of response for mental health crises.
Deputy Jessica Dorhout of the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office highlighted the impact of these closures: “We’re closing facilities in our area, and we don’t have the resources that maybe we used to.” This shortage of resources forces law enforcement to manage situations beyond their traditional scope of training.
Formation of the Mental Health Unit
To address the rising number of mental health-related calls, Sheriff Jamie Van Voorst has implemented a specialized Mental Health Unit. Initially, the plan was to designate a single well-trained officer for mental health issues. However, as the need became clearer, Van Voorst expanded this vision to include a team of five officers.
Sgt. Brad De Kam and Deputy Dorhout are among the officers receiving specialized training in areas such as crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and identifying psychiatric disorders. This training is essential as officers frequently encounter situations that require more than just standard law enforcement techniques.
“The original vision was one very well-trained deputy to do the work,” De Kam explained. “But as we realized the scope of the need, it became clear that a unit was necessary.”
Integration of Therapy Canines
In August, Deputy Dorhout became the handler for McGrath, the department’s first certified professional therapy K-9. McGrath, a yellow Labrador, is part of Van Voorst’s vision to enhance the department’s response capabilities. Therapy canines have shown promise in de-escalating volatile situations and providing comfort during crises.
“There’s not a lot of law enforcement agencies using therapy canines yet,” Dorhout noted, “but they are popping up all over the state.” Research supports the efficacy of therapy dogs in calming individuals experiencing mental health crises, making them a valuable addition to the unit.
Unit Goals and Effectiveness
The establishment of the Mental Health Unit is seen as a necessary response to the increasing complexity of mental health crises. Van Voorst noted, “We realized it was kind of a bigger task than one person would be able to probably handle.” The expanded unit ensures that multiple officers are available, enhancing the department’s ability to respond effectively to mental health situations.
De Kam shared a success story illustrating the unit’s effectiveness: “One time, we were able to talk somebody out of the house that was adamant about harming anybody that came toward the house. When you do something like that, it’s an awesome feeling.”
Future Prospects
As the Mental Health Unit continues to evolve, the focus will remain on improving response strategies and integrating new approaches to support individuals in crisis. The creation of this unit reflects a growing recognition of the importance of specialized mental health training for law enforcement officers, especially in areas where mental health services are limited.
The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office’s proactive approach serves as a model for other rural communities facing similar challenges. By expanding the scope of law enforcement’s role and integrating specialized resources like therapy canines, Sioux County is taking significant steps toward addressing the mental health needs of its residents.
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