You Are Not Alone

MILAN, N.M. – At the Coffee With the Manager’s event on July 7, community members had questions about Milan Police Department’s new You Are Not Alone initiative. MPD has been working to increase the community’s access to mental health resources, including by creating a program designed to stay in contact with those who need a listening ear.

The initiative is called YANA – You Are Not Alone – and it will leverage resources inside MPD to create systems that would support and aide the people of Milan. From elderly populations who struggle to get out and don’t have much contact with the public, to residents who are feeling depressed, or are suffering with their mental health, YANA is here to support the whole Village of Milan.

Those who choose to join the program will not be subjected to a background check. No person will be arrested just because they reached out for help.

How Does YANA Work?

Village residents need to sign up for the YANA program. This can be done in person at Village Hall located at 623 Uranium Avenue, or – if a person cannot make it in person for any reason, they can apply online at https://www.villageofmilan.com/y.a.n.a._registration/index.php

People who sign up for YANA will not be subjected to arrest just because they are reaching out for help. No person will go through a background check or fingerprinting with this program.

Chief Carl Ustupski and the admin staff at MPD will be making phone calls to residents that sign up for the new service. The calls will come at least once daily and will give residents the opportunity to chat with a member of Milan’s public safety team.

Residents can talk about whatever they need to, it may be a quick call just to make sure that a resident is okay, or it could be a longer call to help improve a person’s mental state for the day.

If MPD is unable to get ahold of a resident, they may make a home check to ensure that resident’s safety. Residents should inform MPD if they won’t be home or will be unable to take a phone call on any particular day.

YANA is not an emergency service, if any resident is in need of emergency assistance, they need to call 911. YANA is completely voluntary, and it can help residents who feel lonely, and residents who feel their mental health is not in a good state.

YANA is currently only open to residents of the Village of Milan. Chief Ustupski said that he hopes the project is successful in Milan so other agencies in other jurisdictions can pick it up.

What is the Process?

The application is straightforward.

Residents are asked for their name, age, address, and at least one good phone number. Residents are asked to pick a two-hour block wherein they will receive their call from law enforcement.

The application asks residents to list two emergency contacts, and there is space to list other contacts if a resident would like to leave additional information. Residents can share medical conditions they have if they choose – this service is purely voluntary and residents do not need to leave any of this information if they do not want to.

Applicants are asked if there are any firearms in the house. There is an additional space to allow applicants to list any other information they think may be necessary.

YANA is voluntary and it is not a replacement for 911. If a person is in crisis, they must call 911, that is an emergency service, YANA is not an emergency service.

Prevent Crises Before They Start

These questions serve to give MPD an idea about who they’re working with. The aim is to ensure that no one in the village feels alone. YANA is a program for every village resident, and is part of Chief Ustupski’s plan to put mental health at the forefront of MPD’s police work, to prevent a mental health crisis before it starts.

YANA is here to support the needs of Milan. By preventing mental health crises before they start, MPD will be able to free up law enforcement resources for crime-related issues to help the elderly, disabled, and those in mental distress feel and know that they are part of a community that cares for them.

Want to Support the Program?

MPD is not currently looking for volunteers for the program, but if it expands, they may need additional help. Chief Ustupski said the program will put out an announcement if that happens.

The help this program needs now is extra visibility, to reach as many vulnerable residents as possible. MPD is asking for people to spread the word about YANA and help to strengthen Cibola’s collective mental health.