Nearly six years ago, the Kalispell Police Department (KPD) teamed up with the Western Montana Mental Health Center (WMMHC) to address the rising number of mental health crises in the region. The partnership resulted in the hiring of a co-responder, Sarah Winfrey, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), to assist law enforcement officers in de-escalating individuals in mental health crises. As public social services dwindled, this collaboration helped relieve police officers from situations that diverted their focus from public safety.
Winfrey, initially the sole community co-responder in the area, worked closely with the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, KPD, Whitefish Police Department, and Columbia Falls Police Department. When dispatched to a crisis call, she would step in after officers cleared the scene, allowing them to move on to other duties while she handled de-escalation and connected individuals to appropriate services.
Over time, the program evolved into the Crisis Assistance Team (CAT), expanding into a countywide initiative within the Flathead City-County Health Department. CAT, which operates seven days a week, has increased its capacity and now functions independently of law enforcement in most cases, with a focus on direct crisis intervention. The program is led by James Pyke, who supervises a team that includes LCSWs and care coordinators. Pyke notes that the integration into the health department has provided the team with greater flexibility, allowing them to operate outside the constraints of law enforcement.
While law enforcement still plays a role in some crisis calls, the majority of mental health-related emergencies no longer involve officers. CAT now responds to these calls with a focus on stabilization, and coordination with Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has been streamlined, enabling quicker and more efficient transports when necessary.
The expansion of CAT’s staff has allowed for the growth of crisis response efforts. In early 2025, CAT handled 408 calls, a significant increase from 94 in the first quarter of 2024. Despite the expansion, Pyke acknowledges the program is still unable to meet the full demand for services, with many calls left unanswered.
To improve long-term outcomes, CAT introduced a 14-day follow-up program, providing continued support to individuals after their initial crisis intervention. Additionally, the team has partnered with the Flathead County Detention Center, where care coordinators visit inmates weekly to help them with housing and post-release plans. This partnership has proven essential in addressing the mental health needs of the jail population, many of whom face lengthy waits for treatment at the Montana State Hospital.
In the jail, mental health issues are increasingly prevalent, with approximately 20% of inmates affected. The detention center’s staff, including Jail Commander Jennifer Root, have noted the growing strain on resources as individuals with severe mental health conditions fill the facility. The CAT team’s assistance has been instrumental in providing support and ensuring that these inmates do not fall through the cracks. Root emphasizes that while the partnership provides short-term relief, systemic issues remain unresolved.
At the Office of the Public Defender in Kalispell, social worker Jenny Ball sees the benefit of the behavioral health program in improving communication among service providers. However, she notes that more comprehensive services are still needed to address the systemic gaps in mental health care.
The situation is compounded by the ongoing struggle within the state’s mental health infrastructure. Western Montana Mental Health Center CEO Bob Lopp recently announced a merger with AWARE Inc. to reopen the Glacier House crisis stabilization center, which closed in 2021 due to staffing shortages and financial challenges. Despite these efforts, Ball believes the region is still facing significant challenges in providing adequate mental health services.
As the demand for mental health crisis intervention continues to rise, the CAT program’s expansion offers a crucial lifeline to individuals in need, though much remains to be done to fully address the systemic issues at play.
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