In 2021, the EPPD responded to 199 medical psychiatric calls, 101 suicide threat calls and 36 attempted suicide calls. In addition to several programs the EPPD already has in place to respond to these type of mental health calls, this year the department started working with Hennepin County to embed a full-time social worker in the EPPD. Molly Mitley started in January 2022 and since then has been working with EPPD staff on 911 calls where someone is in mental crisis. Funding for the position is shared by Hennepin County and the City of Eden Prairie.

Molly makes a direct personal connection with individuals and families to assist them with challenges they face and connecting them with services they may not have been aware of that can assist them with long-term help. In her short time here, Molly has built quality relationships with individuals and families who now work with her directly rather than calling 911 when they need the kind of assistance a social worker can provide.

Examples of the kind of work Molly does include assisting individuals who are suffering from chemical dependency and connecting them with county services and assisting individuals who have diagnosed medical conditions that require help with daily life challenges.

In her position, Molly also interacts with the department’s Mental Health Unit which has been in place since 2011. The Mental Health Unit is a group of four officers and two sergeants who are specially trained to help the department deal with people who are experiencing mental health concerns. Members of the team follow up on calls we receive where a person is in crisis and speak with the person involved or a family member to make sure they’re getting help.

With the addition of Molly, the EPPD is now able to offer even more support to those in need.