The Montgomery News Staff | May 8, 2026
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month this May, the Montgomery Township Police Department and Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services are reaffirming their commitment to compassionate, effective responses to mental health crises through the ARRIVE Together Program.
Left to Right: Nicole Crowley, ARRIVE Director, Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services – Danielle Seastrum-Marano Clinician Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services – Officer Carolyn LaRue Montgomery Township Police Department
Each May, Mental Health Awareness Month gives communities across the United States an opportunity to highlight innovative solutions that support individuals experiencing mental health challenges. One such solution gaining momentum is “Arrive Together,” a collaborative program that pairs law enforcement officers with mental health professionals to respond to people in crisis. By rethinking traditional emergency response models, Arrive Together demonstrates how compassion, expertise, and coordination can save lives and build trust.
The Alternative Responses to Reduce Instances of Violence and Escalation (ARRIVE) Together Program pairs a Crisis Intervention Training (CIT)-certified police officer with a licensed mental health clinician. Working side by side, the team responds in real time to mental health emergencies while also providing follow-up care and outreach services. Together, they assess the situation, de-escalate crises, and connect individuals to appropriate care.
This model recognizes a critical reality: not all emergencies are criminal in nature. Many involve individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, substance use, trauma, or other mental health conditions. Responding with both clinical expertise and public safety support leads to more informed and compassionate outcomes.
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Additionally, the co-responder program has demonstrated measurable benefits, including increased public safety, fewer arrests and uses of force, reduced unnecessary hospitalizations, and stronger connections between residents and mental health resources.
“Programs like ARRIVE Together represent the future of policing—one that prioritizes empathy, collaboration, and the well-being of every resident,” said Chief Silvio Bet of the Montgomery Township Police Department. “By partnering with mental health professionals, our officers are better equipped to respond to individuals in crisis with the care and understanding they deserve. This program not only improves outcomes, but also strengthens the trust we are committed to building within our community.”
Arrive Together represents more than a program—it reflects a broader cultural shift in how society views mental health. It moves away from reactive, punitive approaches and toward proactive, person-centered compassionate care.
“Bridgeway is incredibly grateful for our partnership with The Montgomery Police Department and the way that they have fully embraced this program since its inception. We have witnessed truly remarkable outcomes. The ARRIVE Team and the integration of a mental health clinician within the department has helped fill so many critical gaps in our community’s support system.
Chief Bet has clearly made this program a departmental priority. His enthusiasm for ARRIVE and its benefits to the community has undoubtedly resonated throughout the entire department.
"Over time we have seen what once functioned as two separate entities, come together as one unified team for the betterment of the community. Mental Health Awareness Month is a great reminder to highlight the important work of our Arrive Officers, our Arrive Clinicians, and the impact they demonstrate on a daily basis through their patience, sensitivity, and compassion,” said Nicole Crowley, ARRIVE Director, Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services.
During Mental Health Awareness Month, programs like Arrive Together remind us that meaningful change comes from collaboration. Residents are encouraged to use Mental Health Awareness Month as an opportunity to learn more about available resources and to support efforts that promote wellness, understanding, and access to care throughout the community.
