Recognized during May, Mental Health Awareness Month was created as a way to educate the public about mental illness, raise awareness surrounding research and treatments, reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and celebrate recovery from mental illness. There are times when support is needed between law enforcement and individuals with mental illness. Because of this need, Clay County Sheriff’s Department established a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) in 2021. The trained CIT deputies work to improve interactions between law enforcement and those suffering with mental illness, as well as various mental health needs in the community, linking people to resources and services. Currently, 36 crisistrained deputies are employed by the Clay County Sheriff’s Department, assisted by six civilians. Along with the CIT team, Certified Critical Response K9 Lola, a black Labrador retriever, helps individuals in the community who are experiencin...