To address the increasing suicide rate and the mental health crisis in our parish, Sheriff Randy Smith created the Crisis Intervention Team. These deputies are trained to use de-escalation techniques when dealing with individuals in crisis and to coordinate with the appropriate resources to provide follow up assistance to those in need. The goal of the team is to address the growing number of attempted suicides, behavioral health, PTSD and substance abuse related calls that come into dispatch. The team also works to address the homeless issues in the parish and are tasked with training other departmental personnel in crisis intervention techniques. They work hand-in-hand with National Alliance on Mental Illness, the St. Tammany Parish Government, the 22nd Judicial District Court System, the Coroner’s office, the School Board and other entities to address the behavioral health and substance abuse issues in our parish.