HINGHAM — Town Administrator Tom Mayo and Police Chief David Jones are pleased to announce the hiring of the Hingham Police Department’s new full-time Community Crisis Response Clinician.
Aileen Walsh assumed the role on Monday, May 23. From 2018-2020 she worked as a Jail Diversion Clinician in a joint position with the Hingham and Weymouth Police Departments, where she served as a co-responder offering crisis intervention to mental health and substance abuse calls.
Previously Walsh served as a Jail Diversion Clinician for the Newton Police Department and a Crisis Clinician and Substance Abuse Counselor in the Greater Boston area and throughout the South Shore. Most recently, she served as a Program Director for Aspire Health Alliance’s integrated crisis team, directly supervising approximately 10 staff members.
In her new role, which is funded entirely through the Town, she will provide similar resources not only to those with mental health and drug dependency needs but also their family members. She will respond to calls along with members of the Hingham Police, and will also follow-up with hospitals for further evaluation to get people the help and support they need. She is also available to train officers on the proper ways to respond to calls relating to mental health.
“There has never been a greater need for these types of services, and Aileen’s prior experience with the Hingham Police made her a perfect choice for this new full-time position,” Chief Jones said. “She has a great deal of connections in the mental health field and years of valuable experience, and will be a critical member of our department. Having her embedded with the department and being able to co-respond directly with officers makes this position unique, and one we know will be of great benefit to the entire community.”
Walsh said her ability to directly assist residents with court-related issues as needed is another component of her job, allowing her to help people navigate a complicated system.
“There are many layers to this role, and one of the things that makes it work is how open the Hingham Police are to developing new programs and finding creative ways to help residents in need,” Walsh said. “The community has been on board as well, and has been so supportive of me and my role. I want to do everything I can to do right by them.”
Walsh will also be doing outreach in the Hingham Public Schools, working to educate both students and staff on issues relating to mental health and substance use disorders.
“I’m thrilled to be here as I continue to build relationships and assist the residents of Hingham and support officers in the Hingham Police Department,” Walsh said. “The volume of mental health-related calls continues to increase dramatically, and it means a lot to be working in a community that not only recognizes that, but is also working aggressively to address it.”
Walsh earned a Bachelor of Arts in Irish and Geography from University College in Galway, Ireland, and a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University.
Anyone who would like to contact Walsh or learn more about the services she provides can contact her at 781-749-1212 ext. 2222, or walsha@hpd.org.
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