May Mental Health Response Roundup

Today’s Brief:

• Co-Responder Briefs

• Montana Expands Mental Health Workforce

• Cincinnati Expands Pediatric Mental Health Urgent Care Services

• Social Media Briefs

Total Read Time: 2 Minutes

👮Co-Responder Briefs:

🚓 Fremont’s Mental Health Co-Responder Program Brings Compassion to Crisis Calls

Fremont Police Department’s co-responder program, led by Officer Randy Krall and mental health clinician Crystal Gutierrez, is making a difference by pairing law enforcement with behavioral health professionals. The program ensures individuals in crisis receive compassionate, immediate care rather than defaulting to arrest or hospitalization. It's a unique approach focused on empathy, early intervention, and reducing repeat emergencies.

🧭 Garden City Launches New Co-Responder Initiative: "COMPASS"

The Garden City Police Department and Compass Behavioral Health have teamed up to introduce a new co-responder program aimed at addressing mental health crises in real time. Mental health professionals are now accompanying officers on calls where behavioral health concerns are present, ensuring faster connection to services and minimizing unnecessary incarcerations.

🧩 Buffalo Valley Police Expand Support with Mental Health Co-Responder and Autism Focus

Buffalo Valley Regional Police Department has introduced a mental health co-responder to better serve individuals experiencing crises, and is exploring a specialized support program for people with autism. This dual focus aims to ensure more tailored, empathetic responses that recognize and address the diverse needs within their community.

🧠 Cincinnati Expands Pediatric Mental Health Urgent Care Services

Best Point Behavioral Health in Cincinnati, Ohio, has expanded its pediatric mental health urgent care services, thanks to new funding from the city council. The facility now offers walk-in mental health care for children and adolescents aged 5 to 21, operating weekdays from 3 to 10 p.m. Services include crisis intervention, safety planning, and referrals to ongoing care.

This expansion addresses the increasing demand for youth mental health services, providing immediate support and reducing reliance on emergency rooms. The initiative reflects a growing commitment to accessible, community-based mental health care for young people.

🧠 Phoenix Deploys Mental Health Team to Ease Police Workload on Crisis Calls

Phoenix has launched a new behavioral health crisis response team to reduce the burden on police during mental health-related emergency calls. Instead of defaulting to law enforcement, trained behavioral health professionals are now dispatched to handle situations involving individuals in crisis.

The team includes clinicians who can provide de-escalation, assessment, and linkage to services on the spot. This approach aims to improve outcomes for those experiencing mental health issues while freeing up police to focus on public safety. Officials hope the program will reduce arrests, hospitalizations, and unnecessary use of force in behavioral health cases. It's part of a broader city effort to rethink emergency response and better serve vulnerable populations.