The Community Mental Health Association of Michigan has awarded St. Clair County Sheriff Mat King the “Go To Bat” Award. King was nominated by St. Clair County Community Mental Health.
The award goes to a person who “exemplifies extraordinary concern, advocacy, and leadership aimed at improving the quality and quantity of community-based mental health services for persons with a mental illness or intellectual/ developmental disability”, according to the Association.
Sheriff King was nominated because of his continued collaboration between the Sheriff’s Office and CMH, including the use of the Mobile Crisis Unit for assistance with mental health issues, and for getting Sheriff’s Office staff the mental health resources that they need.
King requires his staff to get Mental Health First Aid Training and has been an advocate for the county’s Mental Health Court and Recovery Court. King was recognized for his advocacy for the public mental health system by meeting with lawmakers in the nation’s capital.
The Award was given at the CMHAM Spring Conference.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
