Gastonia Police and community talk mental health Saturday

A Gastonia Police officer wants to have a conversation about mental health with fellow officers and community members Saturday.

Sgt. Shaunte Southern will host his Sixth Barbershop Rap Session from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, at the Phillips Center located at 2031 Echo Lane.

"We want to talk about how to make good decisions when you feel strong emotions," said Southern, who has been with the Gastonia Police Department for 16 years.

The rap sessions are designed to allow officers and the community to talk and educate each other in a relaxed setting, similar to a conversation in a barbershop.

The session includes free candy, food, haircuts, hot dogs and a group conversation.

There are no costs to attend the event.

In a previous session, the group discussed mental illnesses and had a mental health professional from Phoenix Counseling Center come and speak to the group.

Phoenix Counseling also partners with the Police Department to help with emergency calls from people with mental illnesses, addictions, behavioral disorders and more.

"When we get a call from someone who has a mental illness and they didn't commit a crime, there isn't much that we can do," said Southern. "We still want to make sure everyone is safe."

Southern believes that discussing emotions will show police officers and community members how similar they are on the inside.

Southern hopes hosting the event at the Phillips Center will encourage more young people to attend.

"I want coaches and barbers to come out because they have a lot of influence on young people," said Southern. "They might listen to them before they listen to me."

Southern also wants the event to develop an interest within Black and Hispanic youth to become police officers.

"I want this to lead to everyone feeling like they have a home at the Police Department," said Southern. "The best way to do that is to bring diversity."

Reach Janiya Winchester at 704-869-1842 or jwinchester@gannett.com

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