Saraland standoff exemplifies Alabama’s need to focus on the state’s mental health

According to Sheriff Paul Burch, late last week, something happened in the family life of 42 year old Christopher Cavatte that caused him to snap.

“There was an event that took place that, basically, sent him over the edge,” says Burch, “and he was not capable of dealing with it.”

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Neighbors had seen him acting unusual before… pacing the street, firing guns. But Friday night, he fired those guns at Saraland Police and Mobile County Sheriff’s deputies as they tried to serve a commitment order issued by Mobile Probate Court.

“I would say there was probably, at least 100 rounds fired,” says the sheriff. “And nobody knows where those rounds go once they leave that gun. We evacuated the immediate area, but…”

We’re all at risk?

“Yeah.”

That risk was resolved in Saraland without anyone being injured or killed. But Sheriff Burch says the Saraland standoff exemplifies Alabama’s lack of investment in the state’s mental health problem.

“Cause it takes money to have facilities, to have these people treated,” notes Burch. “And a lot of times they can be treated in a short period of time and get them back on their meds and get them where they’re right and have a follow up with them…”

“Don’t just abandon them…”

Burch points to Mobile’s expanding homeless community, featuring a large percentage of people struggling with mental health issues, especially the Tillman’s Corner community which he says is as an example of what can happen when the problem is neglected.

“I mean, there’s a business behind us, I don’t wanna name which one, but we helped them with their problem just recently. But it was so bad and they lost so many customer, they had to close, and it was a local owned shop.”

So what will it take for Alabama to deal with its share of a growing national crisis?

Mobile County’s top cop doesn’t mince words.

“We need to put pressure on our lawmakers, our politicians. There’s a lot of money out there for pet projects, and mental health is the leading problem, not just in our community, but all around the state.”

Some people in Montgomery are noticing.

A bill has been filed in the Alabama House that would establish the Alabama 988 Crisis Care Fund., creating 988 as the emergency mental health number, as well as a system of crisis care centers and mobile crisis care units. It would be financed by a 98 cent monthly fee on your cell phone. Some may balk at that, but supporters say all Alabamians will pay a higher price by doing nothing.

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