Mental Health Crisis Response
Mental health crisis intervention teams are affordable, safe, and effective ways of responding quickly to people experiencing unaddressed health issues without requiring law enforcement response. Crisis teams allow medical and health responders to replace law enforcement in reacting to situations involving individuals with a mental health challenge and refer the individual to adequate treatment.
Community-based mental health crisis response models
The best-known of these programs is Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets (CAHOOTS). CAHOOTS responders routinely provide crisis counseling, suicide prevention and intervention, conflict resolution, and first aid. In addition, they transport individuals to the White Bird Clinic, a treatment facility in Eugene hospitals, or a social service agency that can address a client’s needs. Through this process, CAHOOTS links clients with a mental health challenge to treatment and to organizations that can help people experiencing homelessness find short-term and long-term housing.
What does the research say about community-based mental health crisis response?
(1) POLL: Voters Strongly Support Mobile Crisis Response Despite Opposition Messages
(2) Between January 1st, 2022, and July 1st, 2022, The Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) of Denver, Colorado, has responded to 2,837 calls for service. Additionally, the team has never had to call for backup due to a safety issue. Read more about services provided in their 2022 mid-year report.
(3) Crisis Intervention Teams may prevent arrests of people with mental illnesses.
(4) According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration, at least 24 staff working as medics, counselors, caseworkers, and administrators would be needed to staff a mobile crisis response unit. Read the full report here.
The 4 Community-Based Public Safety Solutions
Scaling Safety recommends four core community based safety solutions that are supported by research and capable of preventing—and even stopping—the cycle of crime.