Instead Of Police, Mental Health Professionals Will Respond To Certain 911 Calls In NYC

Through the prospective NYC program, new Mental Health Teams will be dispatched to de-escalate certain emergency situations, such as suicide attempts, substance misuse, and more — thus reducing the number of times the NYPD responds to mental health calls.

NYPD car in Manhattan New York. Police car | Getty Images
NYPD car in Manhattan New York. Police car | Getty Images

New York City is testing out a pilot program in which mental health professionals and crisis workers will respond to 911 mental health calls instead of the New York Police Department (NYPD). The program is the first in the city’s history and follows months of protests and demonstrations around the country against police brutality, expressing distrust in law enforcement and demanding more accountability from them.

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the prospective program this week, which will be launched in two “high-need communities” in February 2021.

“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,” de Blasio said. “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.”

According to the announcement, NYPD officers and FDNY Emergency Medical Services Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) currently respond to nearly all mental health 911 calls, regardless of their severity, whether a crime is involved, or whether there is an imminent risk of violence.

But through the program, new Mental Health Teams will be dispatched to de-escalate emergency “behavioral health” situations, such as suicide attempts, substance misuse, and episodes with physical health problems, “which can be exacerbated by or mask mental health problems” — thus reducing the number of times the NYPD responds to mental health calls. In selecting team members for the program, the announcement said the FDNY “will prioritize professionals with significant experience with mental health crises.”

In emergency situations involving a weapon or imminent risk of harm, the Mental Health Teams will respond along with NYPD officers.

The program is modeled off of several other comparable programs across the country, including The CAHOOTS (Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets) program in Eugene, Oregon which was created as an alternative to police response for non-violent situations.

“Emergencies are not all the same and the skills needed to respond vary as well,” said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi. “Expanding the role of mental health in emergency services means that people with urgent behavioral health needs can quickly get appropriate and effective help from trained health professionals.”

The program is one of several measures New York City has announced this year involving adjustments to the NYPD. In June, amid nationwide demonstrations calling out systemic racism and injustice in law enforcement,, the department disbanded its controversial “anti-crime units,” comprised of plainclothes officers who were known for aggressive policing.

Advocates have continuously called for an alternative approach to sending police officers to answer mental health calls — which can lead to violence and fatalities. Advocate group Correct Crisis Intervention Today in New York City (CCIT-NYC), has noted at least 16 people struggling with mental health issues in the past four-and-a-half years have been fatally shot by NYPD officers, while four others were shot and arrested.