A shift in the way U.S. communities respond to non-violent mental health crises is gaining momentum as at least 14 of the nation’s 20 most populous cities adopt civilian, alternative, or non-police response teams. These innovative programmes, which use clinicians, EMTs or paramedics instead of law enforcement, aim to address mental health crises more effectively and humanely. This trend comes in the wake of a $19 million settlement following a tragic incident in Colorado where a mental health crisis call tragically escalated.
Christian Glass, a young man experiencing a mental health crisis, became a tragic example of the pitfalls of relying solely on the police in such situations. After calling 911 for help with his car, he was met with an aggressive police response that ended in his death. This incident led to introspection and change.
The alternative approach of having mental health professionals respond to these situations has rapidly gained traction, particularly in larger US cities. According to the Associated Press, funding for such programmes now totals more than $123 million.
The reason for this shift is simple but profound. Tamara Lynn of the National De-Escalation Training Center asserts that law enforcement is not the appropriate intervention in a mental health crisis. These new teams strive to meet the needs of people in crisis by providing specialised care without the use of force.
Denver’s Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) programme is a successful model, responding to more than 5,700 calls last year alone. Similar programmes exist across the country, each tailored to the needs of its particular community. Critics argue about funding, staffing challenges and effectiveness.
STAR responders arrive with medical supplies, blankets and empathy. Their approach is one of problem-solving and responding to individual needs. A Stanford University study found that areas served by STAR experienced a 33% reduction in petty crime reports, while violent crime remained stable.
New York’s B-HEARD programme, although criticised for its effectiveness, provides social workers and paramedics who resolve around half of the calls through discussion or facilitating access to community health centres, reducing the need for hospitalisation.
The ongoing push for reform in policing practices, intensified by events such as the killing of George Floyd in 2020, has given momentum to these civilian response programmes. Their expansion reflects a growing awareness of the need for a more tailored and compassionate approach to mental health crises.
As these transformative initiatives continue to evolve, it’s clear that their impact goes beyond statistics – they symbolise a shift towards a more empathetic, effective and community-centred approach to mental health care.
