Police Chief Joe Farrow will advocate for reducing the stigma around mental illness this week at the annual conference for the California branch of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI.
Farrow is on the second year of a three-year term as president of the board of directors of the organization, and is scheduled to give welcoming remarks Friday morning.
NAMI California provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all those affected by mental illness can lead quality lives of dignity and respect without fear of discrimination and stigma.
UPCOMING Q&A
Chief Farrow speaks about mental health and other concerns facing his department in an upcoming story for ºÙºÙÊÓƵ Magazine — .
Farrow was originally elected to the board, which is elected by NAMI California members, in 2018. He was one of the first law enforcement members on the board, and advocates for more ways to help people who are in the midst of a mental health crisis.
As police officers are often the first ones on the scene of a mental health emergency, Farrow has introduced NAMI’s Critical Incident Training for all the officers in the ºÙºÙÊÓƵ Police Department. He is also supportive of , a program overseen by ºÙºÙÊÓƵ Fire that will provide free basic health care services and help for those with mental health issues.
Related: Farrow discusses goals, addressing mental health
Media Resources
Cody Kitaura is the editor of Dateline ºÙºÙÊÓƵ and can be reached by email or at 530-752-1932.