Mental Health Crisis Response Without Calling Police
While police are often the default responders in mental health crises, their presence can escalate situations, especially for those in crisis who may have negative past experiences with…
While police are often the default responders in mental health crises, their presence can escalate situations, especially for those in crisis who may have negative past experiences with law enforcement. This article explores practical, community-based alternatives to police intervention for mental health emergencies in the U.S.
Understanding the Need for Alternatives
Traditional police responses to mental health crises can lead to arrests, unnecessary use of force, and trauma. A 2021 study by the Treatment Advocacy Center found that people with untreated serious mental illness are 16 times more likely to be killed during a police encounter than other civilians. Communities are increasingly recognizing that trained mental health professionals, not law enforcement, are better equipped to de-escalate these situations and connect individuals to appropriate care.
- De-escalation: Police training often focuses on control and compliance, which can be counterproductive in a mental health crisis.
- Appropriate Care: Law enforcement typically lacks the resources and expertise to provide on-site mental health interventions or connect individuals directly to suitable treatment.
- Systemic Bias: Communities of color and low-income individuals are disproportionately impacted by police involvement in mental health crises.
Exploring 988: The National Mental Health Crisis Hotline
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, launched in 2022, is a critical step towards a more appropriate crisis response. It provides 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors via phone, text, or chat. When you call 988, you are connected to a local crisis center. While 988 aims to dispatch mobile crisis teams, this capacity varies significantly by state and even within counties. It’s important to understand what resources are available in your immediate area.
- Service Availability: In some areas, 988 solely offers telephonic support. In others, mobile crisis teams can be dispatched.
- Team Composition: Mobile crisis teams typically include mental health professionals (e.g., social workers, peer support specialists, paramedics) trained in crisis intervention.
- Funding Challenges: The expansion of 988 mobile crisis response is reliant on state and local funding, including potential use of Medicaid reimbursements and block grants from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Community-Based Mobile Crisis Teams
Beyond 988, many communities have developed their own independent or deeply integrated mobile crisis response units. These programs prioritize de-escalation, connection to services, and minimizing law enforcement involvement. Examples include the CAHOOTS (Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets) program in Eugene, Oregon (operating since 1989), which responds to thousands of calls annually, diverting a significant percentage from police.
- Funding Mechanisms: Community mobile crisis teams are often funded through a mix of local government budgets, philanthropic grants, and sometimes direct service contracts or Medicaid managed care organizations.
- Operational Models: Some teams include embedded paramedics for medical assessment, while others are purely behavioral health focused.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Successful programs track their outcomes, including reduced arrests, fewer hospitalizations, and improved engagement with mental health services.
Building Local Response Networks
Creating or expanding non-police mental health crisis response requires local organization and advocacy. Start by identifying existing resources in your area. Check with your county's mental health services department or local chapters of organizations like NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Engage with local government officials about designating non-police responses for specific 911 call types related to mental health.
- Advocacy: Partner with mental health advocacy groups, local nonprofits, and community leaders to push for policy changes and funding.
- Resource Mapping: Create a local directory of mental health services, crisis hotlines, and peer support networks.
- Funding Opportunities: Explore grants from SAMHSA (e.g., Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Expansion Grants), county general funds, and state-level initiatives. For instance, cities might use Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for operational support or facility development for crisis centers.
Planning for a Crisis: What to Do
Preparing in advance for a mental health crisis can make a significant difference. If you or someone you know is struggling, compile a list of local resources and contacts before an emergency arises. Share this plan with trusted friends or family members. If you call 911 and anticipate a mental health crisis responder, explicitly state, "This is a mental health crisis. We need a mental health crisis team, not police." Be prepared that not all 911 dispatchers can accommodate this request in all jurisdictions.
- Crisis Plan: Develop a written plan that includes emergency contacts, preferred mental health providers, and coping strategies.
- Local Contact List: Keep phone numbers for local crisis hotlines, mobile crisis units (if available), and trusted therapists easily accessible.
- Documentation: If you have a history of mental health challenges, consider carrying documentation that explains your condition and preferred response in a crisis.
Transitioning to a system where mental health crises are met with specialized care rather than law enforcement is a long-term project benefiting from community participation and sustained advocacy. To take the next step, research what mental health crisis response programs exist in your specific county or city by visiting the SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator at findtreatment.gov, and reaching out to your local NAMI chapter.
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