“Don’t let your past steal your future”
New Castle County and ChristianaCare have partnered to expand the New Castle County Division of Police Behavioral Health Unit which provides mental health and substance abuse outreach to the community. Supported by more than $2 million in federal and state grant funding that was announced by New Castle County Police in October, 2019, the collaboration will enable ChristianaCare’s Community Health team to hire six caregivers to work alongside police officers in the Behavioral Health Unit: a mental health professional, two case managers, a licensed clinician, a registered nurse and a child advocate.
In October 2019, the New Castle County Division of Police merged the Hero Help Addiction Unit and the Mental Health Unit into the Behavioral Health Unit. In the Mental Health Unit, officers and mental health professionals respond together to in-progress calls for individuals in mental health crisis or help connect individuals to care in order to prevent repeat calls for service. Members of the Hero Help Addiction Unit provide outreach and Narcan for non-fatal overdose victims, treatment in-lieu of arrest for low level crimes as well as provide on-going case management to assist with bridging gaps in treatment. The unit is committed to a trauma informed, supportive and holistic approach, to ensure individuals and family members are connected to the appropriate level of care.
Mission & Vision
Misson
Provide a multidisciplinary approach to address quality of life issues for vulnerable populations dealing with mental health and substance use disorders.
Vision
The Hero Help Addiction and Behavioral Health Unit integrates law enforcement and healthcare to provide a comprehensive response to police-generated calls for service. This collaboration is designed to improve quality of life for individuals, families and communities in order to reduce future police interaction.
Our Focus
Increase Community Impact
The Behavioral Health Unit continues to focus on cultivating relationships with the public to promote early intervention and treatment of those suffering from addiction.
Decrease Repeat 911 Calls
Connect individuals to resources that will provide long-term stabilizing support; therefore, preventing future calls for service.
Establish Connection to Care
Ensure the individual is referred to the appropriate level of care and follow up with providers to confirm they are connected
Engage with Overdose Victims
Engage with individuals who suffered non-fatal overdose and provide resources, Naloxone and treatment plans.
New Castle County has selected ChristianaCare to partner in its newly expanded Behavioral Health Unit that provides mental health and substance abuse outreach to the community. Supported by more than $2 million in federal and state grant funding that was announced by New Castle County Police in October, 2019, the collaboration will enable ChristianaCare’s Community Health team to hire six caregivers to work alongside police officers in the Behavioral Health Unit: a mental health professional, two case managers, a licensed clinician, a registered nurse and a child victim advocate. ChristianaCare’s staff members will begin working with the Behavioral Health Unit in the fall.
In October 2019, the New Castle County Division of Police merged the Hero Help Addiction Unit and the Mental Health Unit into the Behavioral Health Unit. In the Mental Health Unit, officers and mental health professionals respond together to in-progress calls for individuals in mental health crisis or help connect individuals to care in order to prevent repeat calls for service. Members of the Hero Help Addiction Unit provide outreach and Narcan for non-fatal overdose victims, treatment in-lieu of arrest for low level crimes as well as provide on-going case management to assist with bridging gaps in treatment. The unit is committed to a trauma informed, supportive and holistic approach, to ensure individuals and family members are connected to the appropriate level of care.
Delaware has the
second highest overdose death rate in the nation.
1 in 5 US adults experience a mental illness
Delaware is #1 in the
nation for prescribing high dose opioids.
17% of youth experience a mental health disorder
Award of distinction for the HERO HELP Program at the 2019 Liberty Mid-Atlantic High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Annual Awards Ceremony
The Addiction Policy Forum recognized the New Castle County Division of Police HERO HELP Program as one of 8 innovators in Delaware improving the response to addiction and saving lives at the Innovation Now Awards Ceremony.
Crisis Intervention Training Officer of the Year awarded to Officer First Class Colleen Kearns and Officer First Class Omari George of the New Castle County Police Hero Help and Behavioral Health Unit.
Call 911 for emergencies 24/7
If you need non-emergency assistance please call the listed numbers and if you do not get a response leave a voicemail for a return call
Mental Health Unit (302) 395-2855
Hero Help Addiction Unit (302) 395-2811
Here for you
Call 911 for emergencies 24/7
For non-emergencies
Mental Health Unit
(302) 395-2855
Hero Help Addiction Unit
(302) 395-2811
In Partnership with ChristianaCare
Where to find us
Paul J Sweeney
Public Safety Building
3601 North DuPont Highway
New Castle, DE 19720
Program provided by New Castle County Police, DE
Photos provided by retired Master Corporal Rago and Master Corporal Chickadel