WRVO Series Highlights 1,939 Police Shootings During Mental Health Crises

TL;DR: From 2014 to 2023, U.S. police shot and killed 1,939 people experiencing a mental health crisis, representing 20 % of all police killings in that period. WRVO will broadcast a five‑part series May 11‑15 at 3 p.m., hosted by Angela Davis, to explore this issue and related mental health topics.

Context: In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, WRVO presents the Call to Mind initiative from American Public Media, supported by Oswego Health. Each hour‑long episode airs daily at 3 p.m. and covers stress, climate change, sleep, immigration, and crisis response. The series aims to foster informed conversation about mental health in America.

Key Facts: A cohort analysis of the Fatal Encounters database, which logs all fatal police shootings nationwide, identified 1,939 incidents where the deceased was in a mental health crisis between 2014 and 2023. This cohort comprised 9,695 total police killings during the same timeframe, meaning mental‑health‑related deaths accounted for exactly 20 %. The analysis shows a correlation between mental‑health calls and lethal force but does not prove causation; variables such as officer training, dispatch protocols, and availability of community crisis resources also affect outcomes.

What It Means: Listeners will hear concrete examples of alternative responses, such as the Durham, North Carolina program that dispatches social workers and EMTs instead of armed officers. Practical takeaways include recognizing signs of acute mental distress, knowing local crisis hotline numbers, and advocating for municipal investment in non‑police crisis teams. The series also notes that early diversion can reduce injuries and fatalities while connecting individuals to appropriate care.

What to Watch Next: The Friday, May 15 episode details Durham’s crisis‑response model and explores how similar pilots might be scaled across the country.