Police Reform and Mental Health Crisis Response Teams

Since the advent of the Black Lives Matter movement and subsequent creation of the eponymous organization, police reform has been a hot topic in the United States and around the world. There have been growing calls to take certain responsibilities away from police, especially concerning mental health related calls. In the 2018 journal review of the statistics on police shootings and fatalities compiled by the Washington Post, Emma Frankham found that of the 1,340 cases that involved mental health data, 337 cases involved individuals who had some form of mental illness. The implications of this data are worrisome and present an important question: what then, should be done to protect citizens in need of mental health aide during a crisis?

One city has led the way since the late 60’s in creating a program that allows for mental health interventions in place of police response; Eugene, Oregon. The success of their CAHOOTS (Crisis Assistance Helping Out on the Streets) program has led to much larger and more diverse cities reaching out for assistance in creating their own programs that allow 911 responders to divert calls to mental health diversion programs like CAHOOTS. In June of 2021, Washington DC initiated a program that would allow some of the approximately 90 calls a day that are received related to behavioral health issues to be diverted through the new program. Virginia has mandated behavioral health crisis response teams statewide that will allow for these types of calls to be diverted from the police when feasible, and across the nation in places like Oakland and New York City, more and more programs like CAHOOTS are springing up.

Initial data from these programs shows initial success—fewer people are dying during mental health crisis because they are not confronted with an armed officer, but instead a mental health professional or peer who can safely get them the resources they need. As with any new program, many of these organizations find themselves stretched thin by high demand and not enough staff or funding. If we want to reduce the disparities in mental health treatment and reduce the likelihood of violent or deadly interaction between police and those who are mentally ill, it is imperative that funding to programs like these, as well as community mental health centers, social programs, and mental health education be increased. These, along with any number of other resources will improve community health and reduce poverty, community instability, and crime.

ActNow for Mental Health knows that mental health treatment is fundamental to improving the human experience and we are committed to showing up for communities that have too long been underserved by the mental health system. We mobilize our network of leaders to lobby for real policy change from the top down, and are invested in seeing future data from mental health crisis response teams across the nation. Through similar innovation, and research informed care, we can improve the lives of millions and ensure that a safer, more equitable society is formed.