AUDIO: Earlier this month, a group of police officers, firefighters, and paramedics became the first in New Hampshire to complete an intensive course on how to react to people in mental health crisis. It brought together people with firsthand experience from both sides of that interaction.
Inside a small carpeted classroom at the New Hampshire Fire Academy, two police officers are trying to get through to a woman in crisis. They're worried she might be suicidal.
"Hi April, my name is Chris. I’m with the police department and I’m here to help you. Can you tell me what’s going on today?"
"Please just go away, I don’t want any help," April replies.
Through the door, April tells the officers that no one cares about her -- and that she just swallowed a handful of pills.