Winter Initiative Spotlight: Mental Health Support & What Help Looks Like in Fairfax County

Posted on by

Fairfax County, VA- Each winter, we highlight initiatives that support community safety and well-being. This season, we are focusing on suicide prevention awareness and strengthening mental health resources for youth and adults.

For this initiative, our Major Crimes Bureau is leading the effort. They handle every death investigation in Fairfax County, including suicide, which gives them a clear understanding of the risks and circumstances that shape our prevention work. Their experience reinforces why early intervention matters.

There is a common belief that calling the police means someone will get in trouble. That is not the case during a mental health emergency, our role is to help, stabilize, and connect people to the right services.

What to Expect When You Call for Help

  • Our officers handle mental health-related calls with specialized training and a focus on support.
  • Here is what that looks like:
    • Officers listen first, assess safety, and work to calm the situation
      More than eight hundred officers have completed Integrating Communications Assessment and Tactics training
    • When available, a Co-Responder team may respond to provide on-scene clinical support

How the Co-Responder Program Helps

We partner a CIT-trained officer with a Community Service Board clinician in one patrol unit. Together, they respond to adults and youth in crisis and offer:

  • On-scene mental health assessment
  • De-escalation and stabilization
  • Direct connection to treatment resources
  • Alternatives to arrest or hospitalization when appropriate

Co-Responder teams operate daily during peak hours for mental health-related calls. Their work has reduced the need for Emergency Custody Orders and has supported fair outcomes in situations involving criminal behavior linked to behavioral health needs.

Supporting Families and Students

This winter, we are collaborating with Fairfax County Public Schools to enhance suicide prevention awareness among students and staff. FCPS already has strong materials in place. Our contribution focuses on:

  • Explaining what an FCPD mental health response looks like.
  • Reducing fear around calling 9-1-1.
  • Highlighting how CIT-trained officers and Co-Responder units support youth in crisis.
  • Connecting families to county and national resources.

For Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers

Open communication is one of the strongest protective factors for young people. We encourage families to:

  • Talk with children about mental health in simple, honest ways.
  • Ask how they are feeling and listen without judgment.
  • Keep an eye on changes in behavior, mood, or school engagement.
  • Remind them that asking for help is a strength, not a sign of trouble.
  • Let your children know that help is available through mental health professionals at school and in the community.
  • Know that calling 9-1-1 during a crisis brings trained professionals whose goal is safety and support.

The more families talk, the more comfortable children become with speaking up when something feels wrong.Learn helpful tips for how to talk to your child about suicide.

Where to Find Support in Fairfax County

Our Commitment

FCPD is proud of the work our Crisis Intervention Team and Co-Responder Program are doing each day. These efforts align with county-wide diversion strategies and theMarcus Alert system to strengthen responses for individuals experiencing behavioral health crises.

If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out. Support is available, and you will be met with care and trained professionals committed to safety and well-being.

Interested in joining our team? Visit our website to learn more about joining FCPD.

Register your camera with Connect Fairfax County to help FCPD solve crimes, locate missing people, and support investigations.

For ongoing updates, please read our blog and follow us on X, Facebook, and Instagram at @FairfaxCountyPD.