NAMI Burlington County NJ on TV!

Fox and Friends Saturday, a national television news program, was recorded from the Sweetwater Bar and Grill in Cinnaminson on Saturday. Highlighting Cinnaminson’s outreach program “Coffee with a Cop”, their correspondent Janice Dean interviewed police officers and customers. “Coffee with a Cop” allows the officers to meet with the community they serve and give residents of Cinnaminson the chance to interface with them. Included was a representative of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Burlington County NJ. Ms. Brenda Hahn, a volunteer with NAMI Burlington County NJ, took this opportunity to meet with the law enforcement officers and was interviewed by Ms. Dean.

Ms. Hahn joined Mayor Ernest T. McGill, Police Chief Richard Calabrese and other officers at their table. Since law enforcement personnel are in contact with those afflicted with mental illness, it was an opportunity to share perspectives on how best to handle those instances with the best outcome for both the citizen and the officer. She was also able to share information about the nationwide Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) program that Burlington County offers to all police officers and that NAMI has been involved with since its inception in the county. The training program is offered twice a year in Burlington County in the hope that all county law enforcement will be able to attend. It was initiated with the belief that better understanding is an asset for all involved in these situations.

NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. Their three-pronged mission is support, education and advocacy.

To reach NAMI Burlington County NJ, call 856-222-9400 or email namiface@verizon.net.