Three years after the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) launched its IRIS (integrated response for intervention and support) unit, one brave little boy is sharing how it helped change his life.
Kayden Havlik is a 5th grader who loves Michigan sports teams, especially the Detroit Lions.
Havlik's mom says shortly after Kayden's 8th birthday, he started experiencing some behavioral and mental health issues.
"I just sometimes get mad for no reason," Havlik said. "I have a great day at school, come home and I'm mad, never know why, that's one thing I can never figure out."
In the past three years, Havlik's mom has been forced to call law enforcement more than 100 times. She says Kayden's been Baker Acted five times.
I asked Kayden what he does that makes his mom scared sometimes.
" Running away, getting in fights at school and then just not letting it go," he said. "Doing stuff at home, breaking stuff, trying to hurt people, myself."
He said when he only dealt with deputies, it wasn't always the best experience. Due to a high call volume, law enforcement rarely had the time to sit and listen to Kayden. Many times he ended up handcuffed in the back of a patrol car.
But, that all changed when CCSO launched IRIS. The unit, dedicated to mental health and substance abuse, consists of a deputy, paramedic and clinician from Charlotte Behavioral Health Center (CBHC).
"It's just a different approach," Captain John Heck said. "We've dedicated them to where they have the time. If it takes an hour, two hours, sit there and talk with someone. They have the ability to do."
The team arrives in an unmarked SUV. The deputy on the team doesn't wear the standard uniform. Instead, they wear a blue-collar polo and their duty belt. It helps soften the approach, Heck said.
Reports from CCSO indicate in 2023, the sheriff's office received more than 5,000 mental health-related calls. Since the unit's inception in 2021, CCSO's received nearly 10,000 calls.
So far this year, data shows IRIS has responded to nearly one thousand calls which has kept roughly 500 people out of jail. The team continues to monitor an estimated 1,400 cases, like Kayden's.
Kayden remembers meeting the IRIS team for the first time when he broke his mom's nose.
"They talked to me and really helped me," he said. "At first, I didn't talk with anybody. I mean, [they] just made me feel comfortable with them."
Kayden's mom said once IRIS started coming around, they were able to help Kayden control his emotions. She said many times, they're able to talk him down and keep him from being Baker Acted again.
Kayden said the difference they've made in his life is major.
" I wouldn't to be who I am right now," he said. " It's just knowing that I have, like, a place in life. They always told me that I can do good. I can actually be someone."
This summer, Kayden went to a six-month-long residential treatment facility. Now that he's home, he's enjoying time with his siblings and extended family. Many times, you can find the 5th grader tossing around a football or drawing.
The IRIS team stopped by last week to check on him and share how proud they are of his progress.
"We can de-escalate and we can offer resources. We can do all these things. However, it ultimately ends up on the individual. They're the ones that have to do the hard work to make a difference," a CBHC clinician said.
Kayden's done the hard work and is excited to be back in school. He loves math and reading, but nothing compares to his love of football. He wants to be a wide receiver when he grows up.
"I'm going to be in college and I'm going to go to Michigan," he said. "Then go to the Lions when I’m done."
Until then, he'll continue bravely sharing his story as a way to inspire other kids.
"I feel great. I've made a lot of progress. I'm not going back to how it was before. And, I mean, I feel just great to be here. I'm so, so proud of myself."