Beverly Awarded $200K Mental Health, Substance Abuse Diversion Grant

BEVERLY, MA — A $200,000 grant from the state Department of Mental Health is designed to help the Beverly Police Department and police in surrounding cities and towns get those struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues the treatment they need while keeping them out of the judicial system.

The Jail Arrest Diversion Grant will allow the continued funding of two full-time co-responder clinicians who support officers in the city.

"It's important to divert individuals with behavioral health issues away from the criminal justice system and toward appropriate treatment and recovery services," Beverly Mayor Mike Cahill said.

The grant, which expanded from the funding of one clinician in 2019, will support police efforts in Beverly, Ipswich, Gloucester, Essex, Manchester and Rockport.

"The Jail Arrest Diversion Program has been very successful and will continue to benefit the (collaborating departments) by having co-responder clinicians embedded with officers to assist crisis interventions involving individuals who can be diverted from arrest and toward future behavioral health supports," Beverly Police Chief John LeLacheur said.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)