Enlisting Mental Health Workers, Not Cops, In Mobile Crisis Response

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Criminology
• Social Policy

Background:

• The Community Assistance, Homeless Outreach, and More Than Emergency Services (CAHOOTS) program in Eugene, Oregon, has operated for over 30 years.
• CAHOOTS provides frontline crisis response, diverting non-violent calls from law enforcement.
• The program utilizes trained crisis workers, including medics and mental health professionals, to respond to a wide range of community needs.

Discussion:

• CAHOOTS demonstrates a cost-effective alternative to traditional policing for certain types of calls.
• The program's success is linked to its ability to address root causes of calls for service, such as mental health crises and homelessness.
• Reduced reliance on law enforcement for non-criminal issues can free up police resources for more serious incidents.

Key Insights:

• Significant reductions in police calls and associated costs have been documented.
• Improved community safety and well-being through specialized, non-police interventions.
• Positive impact on individuals experiencing crises by providing appropriate, de-escalated support.

Outlook:

• Potential for national replication of the CAHOOTS model to improve emergency response systems.
• Further research into the long-term economic and social benefits of community-led crisis response.
• Policy discussions are underway to explore broader implementation of such programs across the United States.