Oakland County sheriff calls for more mental health resources

ROCHESTER HILLS, Michigan. – During a press conference on Monday, June 17, Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard provided an update on the Rochester Hills mass shooting.

The sheriff spent much of Monday's news conference talking about mental health — which he said is obviously a serious problem here in metro Detroit and across the country.

“It appears he was thinking about different things saying, 'Turn off your phone, we're being watched, they're out there listening to us,' walking around the house with weapons,” Sheriff Bouchard said.

The suspected shooter in the Splash Pad shooting suffered from serious mental health issues, according to family members. However, Bouchard says this is nothing new.

“It’s an everyday thing in our communities across the country. There needs to be more emphasis on mental health for the community, and more mental health resources across a broader continuum of care, both inpatient and outpatient. It’s not there,” explained Sheriff Bouchard.

This is actually something that the sheriff has been advocating for a very long time.

“I have called for more mental health resources for the community. We respond to mental health calls almost daily,” revealed Sheriff Bouchard.

This is unfortunately a double-edged sword that also affects strength.

“Law enforcement and public safety need more peer-to-peer mental health resources in their agencies. Over the past two years, the number of police deaths in the line of duty has skyrocketed. And the number that has exceeded that number is police officers committing suicide, so we need help,” Sheriff Bouchard insisted.

As a result, help is on the way, at least for some of the Oakland County officers who have had to deal with two mass shootings in less than three years.

“We are sending someone out this afternoon to begin debriefings with our team, because frankly, they have been through too much,” added Sheriff Bouchard.

For anyone who needs help, the Sheriff's Office has a list of mental health resources here.

Related: Trauma, mental health among concerns after Rochester Hills mass shooting