Meet New Heroic Mental Health Liaison Empowering Cedar Rapids Police

Supporting Mental Health with Cedar Rapids Police: A Liaison’s Role

Mental health crises require careful, compassionate intervention, and Cedar Rapids has found an innovative solution by partnering law enforcement with mental health professionals. Samantha Shannon, a law enforcement liaison from Foundation 2 Crisis Services, works directly with the Cedar Rapids Police Department, ensuring that individuals facing mental health challenges receive the help they need.

Shannon has been a vital part of the Cedar Rapids community for over three years, working alongside officers to address the city’s mental health-related calls. In her own words, “Day to day, it ebbs and flows. Some days I’m out on calls all day long, and other days I am in the office responding to emails.” The unpredictability of her work keeps it challenging and engaging, but the core mission remains clear—ensuring those in crisis don’t end up in jail or hospitals when they need mental health resources instead.

The Partnership: Police and Mental Health Support

Shannon’s work is grounded in a partnership between Foundation 2 Crisis Services and local police departments. Foundation 2 is a nonprofit organization specializing in mental health and crisis response. As Shannon explains, her role is to support officers by providing resources and services during mental health calls.

When officers are called to a situation involving a mental health crisis, they rely on Shannon’s expertise. “If there’s a capacity where I can help in any instance, with any types of resources or services, that’s what I do,” she says. Her collaboration with officers, like Cedar Rapids officer Chelsea Gienger, allows the police to focus on safety while Shannon provides crucial support, connecting individuals to local resources.

“We go on calls together,” says Gienger, emphasizing the complementary nature of their work. While Gienger handles the legal aspects, Shannon focuses on the social work side, giving those in crisis access to tools that officers alone might not be able to provide.

Preventing Jail or Hospitalization: A Key Goal

One of the primary aims of this partnership is to prevent individuals from ending up in jail or hospital beds when their situation calls for mental health support. Shannon’s role goes beyond the initial crisis response. Often, it involves follow-up, ensuring individuals have access to the right services and are making progress after the incident.

“We kind of share the conversation with the individual. Sam just has a little bit more tools in her toolbox when it comes to resources on the social worker aspect of it,” Gienger notes. Whether it’s offering someone a listening ear or connecting them to Cedar Rapids’ mental health services, Shannon plays a vital part in supporting community wellness.

A Passion for Helping People

Samantha Shannon’s journey into mental health work wasn’t always clear-cut. She graduated from the University of Iowa with degrees in social work and gender studies and spent several years working in residential care at Tanager Place, supporting children in mental health facilities. Later, she joined Foundation 2’s 24-hour crisis counselor team and worked at the Abbe Center for Community Mental Health before transitioning into her current role.

“For about 10 years, I’ve been in social work in a mental health capacity,” Shannon shares. Her experience, combined with a passion for problem-solving, made her a natural fit for her position with the police department. “When people don’t know what to do, or they’re at a loss, or don’t know where to turn, they call law enforcement for help… I’m just a problem solver.”

The Importance of Mental Health Liaisons in Policing

The collaboration between the Cedar Rapids Police Department and Foundation 2 illustrates the growing recognition of mental health as a key component of community policing. With Shannon and the team of officers working hand in hand, the focus is shifting from punitive responses to supportive interventions. Their work is a model for other cities, showing how mental health professionals and police can collaborate to create safer, healthier communities.

For more information about this initiative and mental health services in Cedar Rapids, visit The Gazette.