DEARBORN — Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnow has been named the 2024 Mental Health Hero/Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Michigan.
Mr Goodnow was honored at a reception at the Henley Hotel earlier this month. Six people from Monroe County attended the event.
Goodnow was appointed by the Monroe Community Mental Health Authority. According to NAMI Michigan’s website, the award “focuses on what works in Michigan’s mental health system and recognizes those who do important work that improves the lives of many people without just compensation.” The aim is to shine a spotlight on exemplary individuals and organizations that have achieved recognition. “
“Sheriff Goodnow’s leadership in identifying needs and bridging the gap between law enforcement and mental health services is a partnership between our two agencies that is unparalleled in the state,” MCMHA Executive Director Lisa Graham said in a news release. The results of Sheriff Goodnow’s fierce advocacy and tenacity for mental health care for the residents of Monroe County are more than any statistic can explain, resulting in changed lives and a transformed community. .”
In his nomination, Graham talked about some of Monroe County’s programs, including jail diversion, medication-assisted treatment and reentry programs. Monroe County also has mental health and recovery courts, youth induction services, and intensive outpatient programs.
“When MCMHA appointed Sheriff Goodnow, we emphasized his commitment to ensuring that people with mental illness and substance use disorders have resources to access treatment while incarcerated,” Graham said. he said. “Through our partnership under Sheriff Goodnow’s leadership, we are implementing a program that is the envy of the state.”
Goodnow also encourages people to refer people who need mental health support to police officers, Graham said. Some of his programs are now used nationwide.
“Sheriff Goodnow recognized the need to be proactive in the sequential intercept model. He observed that officers frequently responded to calls where there was a clear need for mental health intervention, and he We developed a referral form that all police officers now use to connect individuals with mental health services and the appropriate level of care before they escalate into criminal justice matters. Minimize your impact. Many of the formats and programs championed by Mr. Goodnow have become models across the state and nationally, as he has been repeatedly invited to speak on innovative strategies being implemented in Monroe County. ,” Graham said.
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According to its website, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of people living with severe mental illness and their families. Founded in 1979, the organization has affiliates in every state and more than 1,100 communities across the country.
For more information about Monroe Regional Mental Health Authority and its services, visit monroecmha.org. For more information about NAMI Michigan, visit namimi.org.
