How thousands of iPads have helped police with de-escalation in Oklahoma
Lt. Gene Bradley with the Oklahoma County Sheriff”s Office works as the mental health coordinator and demonstrated the MyCare Technologies iPad. Carly Rae Van Zant/MyCare Technologies
Oklahoma County sheriff’s Deputy Gene Bradley stared down the reality that an armed man who threatened to end his life might die like so many others experiencing a mental health crisis.
But on that fall day in 2021, Bradley had a tool that would make a difference — an iPad that quickly connected the man to a mental health professional.
After a virtual visit with a counselor, the man who threatened to take his life decided to get help instead.
“That de-escalated the situation right then,” Bradley said. “That was a pretty intense situation where that tablet was a great intervention.”
Law enforcement and clinicians say the (MyCare Technologies) iPads distributed by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services have been a game changer in delivering services across the state.
Media Contact
Carly Rae Van Zant
cvanzant@huntercarehealth.com
