New York City Will Now Send Mental Health Experts Instead of Cops to Certain 911 Calls

New York City is launching a new pilot program that will send mental health experts instead of police officers to respond to certain 911 calls that are mental health related and nonviolent.

Program with mental health experts

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Monday the new program, which will dispatch Emergency Medical Services health professionals and mental health crisis workers to select 911 calls in two high-need communities.

“One in five New Yorkers struggle with a mental health condition. Now, more than ever, we must do everything we can to reach those people before crisis strikes,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “For the first time in our city’s history, health responders will be the default responders for a person in crisis, making sure those struggling with mental illness receive the help they need”.

Calls

The overall number of mental health 911 calls fell by over 8,000 in 2019, the first decline following a decade in which 911 mental health calls increased every year and in every precinct in the city, according to the report.

The pilot program will begin in February 2021. New Mental Health Teams will use their physical and mental health expertise, and experience in crisis response to de-escalate emergency situations, according to the report.