A new preprint article from researchers at the University of California, Davis offers one of the most comprehensive overviews yet of America’s growing mobile crisis response field. The authors conducted a scoping review of mobile crisis response studies published over the past decade, analyzing differences in training, staffing, outcomes, and challenges across dozens of programs nationwide.
Researchers found that “mobile crisis response programs are a promising development in mental health care, but they are still largely in the early stages of implementation” and that while still evolving, these teams are showing how “many programs show potential in reducing the burden on local agencies [like police, fire, jails, and emergency rooms] and providing more appropriate care for individuals in crisis.” The full paper is worth reading for any city or county implementing or running a mobile crisis team, but here are some key findings:
- Early-Stage But Promising Field: “Mobile crisis response programs are a promising development in mental health care, but they are still largely in the early stages of implementation… Many programs show potential in reducing the burden on local agencies… Mobile crisis response aims to facilitate access to behavioral health care, de-escalation in mental health crises, and basic needs… The more abstract objectives are to build trust in public systems, advance health equity, promote wellness, and ensure that people in crisis are met with the most appropriate care.”
- Evidence Of Real-World Impact: “Programs integrated with 911 call centers provide more definitive tracking markers of successful interventions, such as call diversion and cost savings… In Oregon, an estimated 5–8% of calls to 911 are diverted to [mobile crisis response] teams… these diversions save law enforcement agencies $1.23 million annually by reducing call volume… The Denver [mobile crisis response] program… diverted 748 calls in its first year, representing 3% of all 911 calls for service… Many programs strive to more broadly enhance community wellness… focusing on connecting clients to more definitive, ongoing care and improving short-term survival by addressing basic needs.”
- Wide Variation In Team Models And Training Across The Country: “Response programs differ significantly in training, implementation, and supporting infrastructure… existing crisis response programs are organized into various teams… Some consist only of law enforcement, others pair behavioral-health providers with EMS personnel, and some include peer responders… there is no consistent discussion of mobile-specific training, interprofessional training initiatives, or team dynamics within the various response models.”
- Need For Standardization And Integration: “A widespread effort to create and implement standardized outcome measures could provide the common language and structure needed to assess performance, compare programs, and encourage consistency… future work should focus on developing long-term outcome measures and creating frameworks for integration with broader social services… there is a pressing need to assess the long-term impact of these programs on client recovery, public safety, and systemic health equity.”