Need For Mobile Crisis Response Teams Heighten as Mental Health Becomes a National Concern

Life was unfairly cut short for 6-year-old Jeremy Mardis; Daniel Prude, 41; Michelle Cusseaux, 50; Eric Parsa, 16; and many others on a list that continues to grow. These Americans suffered from mental health crises and, when they were in their greatest time of need, were killed by police.

Mental illness afflicts 26% of American adults, reports Johns Hopkins Medicine, but 50- 64% of the US prison population, and one third of those killed by police.

Mental health crisis situations are health care issues, and should not be treated as public safety and criminal issues.
Photo: Adobe Stock / silverkblack
Mental health crisis situations are health care issues, and should not be treated as public safety and criminal issues.

Studies show that an over reliance on law enforcement in the United States (US) has resulted in an overrepresentation of persons with mental illness in instances of police violence, arrest, and incarceration.

Involving a mental health professional as a first responder in situations involving mental health issues can be very successful in preserving individual and societal interests, and this has been proven in several pilot programs across the country.

Mental illness afflicts 26% of American adults, but 50- 64% of the US prison population.
Photo: Adobe Stock / Petr
Mental illness afflicts 26% of American adults, but 50- 64% of the US prison population.

With dedicated mental health services on site to interact with an individual first, the fear and agitation associated with police presence is often reduced.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, problems involving mental health issues can frequently be deescalated and resolved, and police involvement can be reserved as backup.

Mental health crisis situations are health care issues, and should not be treated as public safety and criminal issues. High rates of victimization, police violence, and inappropriate incarnation among persons with mental illness can be mitigated through the utilization of mobile social work interventions, Mental Health America.

With dedicated mental health services on site to interact with an individual first, the fear and agitation associated with police presence is often reduced.
Photo: Adobe Stock / Paul Rushton
With dedicated mental health services on site to interact with an individual first, the fear and agitation associated with police presence is often reduced.

In the US, there is still extensive stigma around mental health issues, which leads to continued violence (including police violence) against and incarceration of people with mental illnesses, according to a study in published Psychology, Public Policy, and Law.

According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, the point of funding community-based mobile crisis intervention services for individuals experiencing a mental health or substance-use disorder crisis contributes to lowering the rates of negative interactions with police.

In the US, there is still extensive stigma around mental health issues.
Photo: Adobe Stock / motortion
In the US, there is still extensive stigma around mental health issues.

Crisis teams make it possible for people to recognize alternatives to police involvement, and to realize mental illness events need not be treated with violence. These programs also create the opportunity to redirect funding from police departments to mental health education and engagement, Drexel University reports.

According to the Vera Institute of Justice, Over reliance on law enforcement in the United States (US) has resulted in an overrepresentation of persons with mental illness in instances of police violence, arrest, and incarceration.

Support the CAHOOTS Act and support better mental health resources for all Americans!
Photo: Adobe Stock / soupstock
Support the CAHOOTS Act and support better mental health resources for all Americans!

The CAHOOTS Act (S.764), will ensure state Medicaid programs cover certain community-based mobile crisis intervention services for individuals experiencing a mental health or substance-use disorder crisis outside of a facility setting.

Help us support the CAHOOTS Act so that our nation can continue to demonstrate commitment for individuals experiencing a mental health or substance-use disorder crisis and build a network of services that is better suited to meet the needs of all Americans.

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