The Madison Police Department maintains a dedicated mental health unit aimed at responding to people suffering with mental illness or amid a mental health crisis. 

MPD works in partnership with Journey Mental Health.

Sarah Henrickson, of Journey Mental Health, said a large part of her organization’s role is helping to develop appropriate response strategies. She said she and her team also work extensively to work with people who have repeated contact with MPD because of mental health-related calls. 

Madison Police Sgt. Jared Prado emphasized collaboration is key to the team’s success. 

He said the unit has expanded and grown substantially since it was first created in 2004. MPD now even employs a dedicated Mental Health Officer in each of the city’s police districts.