NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Tucked away in an office park near City Center in Oyster Point, I found a small but important team ready to help people through some of their darkest days.
“Whether it’s depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar, we see it all,” explained Jennifer Royal, supervisor of Community Assistance Response in Newport News.
News 3 first reported on CARE in 2021, when the program began. In the three years since, city leaders have expanded its offerings and roster, with three teams now ready to respond to mental health emergencies.
Newport News Mental Health Response Team
“It’s a traumatic experience, not just for the people who are in crisis, but for everyone around the situation,” Royal adds.
What sets CARE apart is who makes up the team.
Royal, for example, has 17 years of experience in behavioral health. There is also a difference in the response to the crisis. There are no uniformed officers, handcuffs or flashing police lights. This can make a big difference.
“It breaks a tremendous barrier because we come in trained,” says Royal. “We come with love, we come with compassion, and we come to listen.”
The program also saves other city resources, easing pressure on police and EMS, for example. The American Psychological Association estimates that at least 20 percent of calls for service involve a mental health crisis.
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“It just puts an ambulance back on the road,” explains Thomas Breitbeil, an assistant chief in charge of EMS. “The ambulance is not connected, taking a patient to the hospital, who does not necessarily need to go to the emergency room,” he added.
The response from community members continues to be positive.
“It’s really been a blessing,” says Roseanne Richardson, an LPN with Oyster Point Family Practice. She tells me that the COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on patients and the care they received.
“They really need some communication, a lot of times, one-on-one, communication is vital,” Richardson says. “And if all of this is left to virtual, it won’t be effective for them.”
Richardson and other mental health care providers work closely with CARE to help fill the gap in services and get people the help they need.
“We need to come together and be that person for someone in need,” says Jennifer Royal.
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For its part, the city has already expanded CARE to three teams to better provide coverage. They are looking to add even more support. It’s a sign that what’s happening here is working.
“It’s easy to touch somebody and go, but to still be there in the moment and help them afterwards, I think it shows a lot of love. It shows that we’re there and that they have more people here that are willing to help them,” says Royal.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 and you will be connected to a professional in your area. Calls are accepted 24/7, are free, and callers can remain anonymous if they wish.
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