South Brunswick Sees Increase In Mental Health Assistance Calls

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — South Brunswick police on Thursday said they are seeing an increase in mental health assistance calls in the past six weeks.

“We have seen a nearly 30 percent increase in calls for mental health assistance in the past six weeks as compared to the same time period in 2019,” said Chief Raymond Hayducka.

“The pandemic and tensions in the country have boiled over for many people and a mental health crisis is underway. These numbers are not unique to our community as I have spoken to other chiefs and hospital officials who are seeing similar issues,” he said.

On Tuesday at 2:30 p.m., a counselor from Rutgers University Behavioral Health was called in to help with a situation at a home in the Whispering Woods Complex.

Family member of a man believed he was in a mental health crisis and needed intervention. The counselor spoke to the man and determined he needed to go to the hospital for further treatment. Police and EMS were called to have the man transported.

South Brunswick officers responded to the home and spoke with the counselor and the man. Although the man initially appeared cooperative and agreed to get in the ambulance, he suddenly changed his demeanor, said police.

According to the police, the man began to complain about everyone wearing masks, the election, and said he didn’t trust what was going on. Officers explained that they wanted to get him assistance and tried to calm him down. After a few minutes, the man ran into the kitchen towards the counter where a knife block was located, said police.

Officer Ryan Bartunek and PFC Mike Leung pursued the man as he grabbed a large knife from the wooden block. Bartunek pinned the man against the counter as Leung struggled to get the knife out of the man’s left hand, police said.

Officer Jason Stonkus entered the home and assisted in getting the man under control. The man was transported to an area hospital where he has been admitted for treatment, said the police.

“These officers made split-second decisions and used necessary force to make sure the man did not harm himself or others. In this case, a counselor was called and independently determined the man was in a mental health crisis, then called us for our assistance. The training and skills the officers used allowed this man to get the help he needed. This was excellent police work,” said Hayducka.

The chief credited the collaboration with mental health professionals and excellent police work with resolving some volatile situations in the past six weeks.

“The pandemic is taking its toll on everyone, and issues that may have previously resolved are rising to crisis levels faster,” said Hayducka.

Police said the holidays will bring added pressure and they want everyone to know help is available.

Here are two numbers to call if you need assistance -

Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care (UBHC): (732) 235-5500

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

“We will work through these difficult days together, as a community and a police department,” said Hayducka.

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