The Copperas Cove Police Department announced a new community partnership this week with Dr. John Avritt of The Mindset Counseling Group to deliver free, interactive workshops aimed at strengthening adolescent mental health and family support systems. The series, which begins Dec. 11 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the CCPD Community Room, is open to all residents of Coryell County and will include a caregiver component designed to help families recognize warning signs and support teens at home.

Organizers say the workshops will teach practical skills in emotional regulation, resilience building and healthy coping — topics public health experts identify as key to preventing crises before they escalate. By locating sessions in a familiar, nonclinical space at the police department and removing cost barriers, the program seeks to broaden access for families who may struggle to reach traditional mental health services.

The partnership between law enforcement and a local counseling practice reflects a broader shift toward community-based approaches to adolescent mental health. For communities like Copperas Cove, where rural health provider shortages and long waits for specialty care are common, early-intervention workshops can help relieve pressure on emergency services, school staff and other parts of the safety net by equipping parents and teens with tools to manage stress and behavioral concerns at home.

Workshops that include caregivers aim to close gaps in recognition and response. Families will learn to identify warning signs that warrant professional help and how to support a young person through distress without relying solely on crisis interventions. That approach aligns with public health goals of prevention, timely connection to care and reducing stigma around seeking support.

The initiative also underscores equity considerations in local health planning. Offering no-cost, public sessions increases the likelihood that lower-income households, uninsured residents, and those facing transportation or scheduling barriers can participate. By situating programming within a community institution, the police department is attempting to create a comfortable entry point for people who may distrust formal medical settings or face barriers to privately paid therapy.

Sustaining programs like this will require ongoing coordination among providers, law enforcement and local health systems, plus attention to funding and workforce constraints that affect rural mental health services. For now, the immediate benefit to Copperas Cove residents is a chance to access evidence-informed skills training and to build connections between families and local resources.

The first workshop is Dec. 11, 6–7:30 p.m., in the CCPD Community Room. The series is free and open to all community members; residents seeking more information can contact Copperas Cove Police Department for details on registration and future dates.