The Importance of Proper Handling of 911 Mental Health Calls
The police have been called to deal with mental health crises for decades; however, recent incidents of police brutality and violence against individuals with mental health issues have revealed significant shortcomings in how society handles these situations.
Many incidents of police violence towards individuals with mental health issues stem from police officers’ lack of knowledge and training in handling these situations. This is why it’s crucial to have individuals trained in mental health crisis management responding to these 911 calls.
The Importance of Investing in Mental Health Crisis Management
Mental health crisis management can be handled by individuals who are better equipped to manage these situations than the police. These individuals are trained in non-violent conflict resolution, de-escalation techniques, and identifying triggers for mental health crises.
Police officers, on the other hand, are trained in enforcing the law and are less equipped to handle mental health crises, even with the best of intentions. They may unintentionally escalate situations due to their lack of training, which can lead to violent behavior.
Benefits and Challenges of Mental Health Crisis Management
One of the benefits of mental health crisis management is that it can help to de-escalate situations and reduce the likelihood of violence towards the individual experiencing the crisis. It also helps to reduce the stigma around mental health issues.
However, one of the challenges of mental health crisis management is that it requires investment in resources and training for individuals who can respond to these calls. This may require a shift in funding towards mental health and crisis management as opposed to funding for the police.
Alternatives to the Current System
Several alternatives to the current system exist and have been proposed, such as hiring mental health professionals and trained clinicians to respond to these calls, creating crisis intervention teams, and dispatching social workers instead of police officers.
The city of Eugene, Oregon, has had great success with its Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets (CAHOOTS) program. CAHOOTS is a mobile crisis intervention unit that can handle a range of crisis situations, including substance abuse, mental health crises, and other behavioral issues.
Conclusion
Recent events have highlighted the importance of proper handling of 911 mental health calls. Investing in mental health crisis management programs can reduce violence towards individuals experiencing mental health crises and decrease the stigma surrounding mental health issues. Policymakers and city officials must invest in training and resources while exploring alternatives to the current system to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
