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Every day in Massachusetts, first responders help people in severe mental health and suicidal crises. In these moments, the right intervention can save a life.
This webinar equips law enforcement officers, social workers, and other first responders with practical strategies to effectively respond to mental health emergencies, including situations involving firearms. An expert panel of frontline workers will share practical tools to help participants:
– Identify and respond effectively to mental health emergencies.
– Initiate an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) to temporarily remove firearm access from individuals at risk.
– Build stronger cross-sector partnerships between law enforcement, behavioral health, and community organizations.
People experiencing mental health crises—especially those who are homeless, using substances, or living in poverty—need compassionate, connected support. This webinar emphasizes person-centered, dignity-preserving approaches that bridge Massachusetts communities with care providers and create meaningful connections that extend beyond the immediate crisis to link individuals with ongoing support.
Funding for this webinar is provided by a grant received from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.
Application for social work continuing education credits has been submitted. Please contact us at marketing@samaritanshope.org for the status of social work CE accreditation.
Kevan A. Barton, LICSW
Kevan A. Barton is the Executive Director of YouthConnect, where he leads a community-based mental health and advocacy program supporting police-referred youth and their families. He brings a background in clinical social work, with a Master of Social Work from Boston University, a Certificate from the Institute for Nonprofit Practice, and completion of The Partnership’s leadership program.
His career has included leadership roles in youth development, program design, and organizational operations. Prior to his current role, he served as YouthConnect’s Director of Operations, Program Director at LIFT Boston, and Assistant Director/Lead Social Worker at Middlesex Community College’s B.R.I.D.G.E. Program. His experience also includes private practice psychotherapy and clinical social work positions.
Kevan serves on the Board of the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence and on the Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee for Massachusetts. He has previously served on the boards of Zumix and Gender Spectrum and is a member of the National Association of Social Workers. His work centers on strengthening pathways for youth and families by expanding equitable access to resources, and he brings his perspective as a leader of color to advancing justice and opportunity across the communities he serves.
Artie DePinho
Christopher Malinn
Geneva Weymouth
Ms. Geneva Weymouth is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) working in forensic mental health for over 13 years, serving adult and juvenile populations. She currently works to support the Massachusetts Parole Board in delivering comprehensive services to those supervised on parole.
Ms. Weymouth is an experienced trainer, developing and delivering trainings on topics including trauma, dialectical behavioral therapy, youth mental health, de-escalation, crisis management and assessment, suicide prevention, and best practices for working with incarcerated individuals. She has also worked directly with local police agencies to support efforts related to the emerging need for co-response teams embedded with police for community response.She has an M.S. in Crime & Justice Studies and an M.S. in Mental Health Counseling from Suffolk University.
Moderator:
Kacy C. Maitland LICSW
Kacy C. Maitland is the Chief Clinical Officer at Samaritans, a Massachusetts-based suicide prevention organization. In that role, she oversees all programming, including the 24/7 crisis helpline, youth text line, grief support services for those who have lost loved ones to suicide, and suicide prevention community education. Kacy has over 15 years of experience in the field of mental health. She has practiced as both a trainer and clinician in a variety of settings, including working with those struggling with severe and persistent mental illness, and holds leadership roles with community organizations and government policy advisory groups. Kacy is a Commissioner for the Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She has also been an Adjunct Professor of Social Work at Simmons University Graduate School of Social Work and in Sociology at Quincy College.
Artie DePinho is a police officer with the Boston Police Department assigned to the Street Outreach Unit. His work focuses on assisting individuals experiencing mental illness, substance use disorder, and homelessness by connecting them with services and diverting them from the criminal justice system whenever possible. He is a member of the Crisis Negotiation Team and supports training for the Crisis Intervention Team. Artie participates in co-response initiatives alongside behavioral health clinicians. He also works within the HUB model, collaborating with multi-agency partners to identify risk and coordinate early, targeted interventions. Artie holds a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and a Graduate Certificate in Crisis Response and Behavioral Health from William James College.