From the Union-Tribune:
Three years ago, the county launched a pilot program to replace ill-equipped law enforcement officials with mental health experts for those in crisis.
The effort started small with just a handful of professionals responding to calls in North County. But it quickly expanded. Today, there are nearly four dozen Mobile Crisis Response Teams countywide handling hundreds of calls for nonviolent emergencies each month.
And the program continues to grow. Crisis teams are now extending their reach to college campuses, a tribal community and, soon, grade schools and Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
Though still fairly new, county officials say the program is proving to be one of the county’s most promising models in its effort to overhaul the region’s mental health system, especially at a time when California is working to do the same.
The data also shows that in most cases people are stabilized on-site and do not require more acute services. Bergmann said that suggests that crisis teams have become a community resource for many, not just an emergency service for people who need to be connected to intensive levels of inpatient care.
