Mental health crises, including suicide, have risen significantly on college campuses over the past decade. But a police response can inadvertently heighten trauma for students, healthcare professionals say. That’s why a number of universities are launching mobile crisis outreach teams, led by mental health experts, to serve as first responders for students in crisis.

988 is not just a more user-friendly crisis hotline, but a catalyst for a desperately needed transformation in how the country responds to acute mental health issues.

A new Denver, Colorado mobile crisis response program that sends healthcare experts instead of armed police officers to situations where people are experiencing a mental health crisis significantly reduces both crime and costs.

Our survey results show that voters overwhelmingly support sending medical professionals instead of armed officers to mental health and homelessness related emergency service calls, and they also support the concrete step of creating new public agencies to carry out these services.