For Pinellas Police, Mental Health Help Is Just A Zoom Call Away

BELLEAIR, FL — The Belleair and Largo police departments have joined a pilot program hosted by Directions for Living that gives law enforcement officers and residents immediate access to on-call mental health counselors.

Called TRACE, for Telehealth Remote Access to Crisis Evaluation, the police departments are given tablets and have immediate access to mental health counselors through Zoom calls to decrease unnecessary Baker Act commitments and help de-escalate situations involving people experiencing a mental health crisis.

The on-duty counselors can also talk directly to people experiencing a health crisis during the Zoom calls.

Belleair and Largo police officers were trained by Directions for Living staff before the program went live this month.

New Directions for Living provides mental health services throughout Pinellas County.