Asheville First Responders Partner with Mental Health Professionals to Enhance Crisis Response
In Asheville, North Carolina, the police and fire departments have launched a co-responder program to improve their response to mental health emergencies. This initiative pairs first responders with licensed mental health professionals, allowing them to provide immediate support and resources to individuals in crisis. The Asheville Police Department has partnered with RHA Health Services, supported by a Vaya Health grant, to include a mental health professional in their response team. This professional brings extensive experience in mobile crisis response and the medical field, helping to build trust with individuals who may be hesitant to engage with law enforcement. The program builds on existing Crisis Intervention Team training, where officers and mental health professionals collaborate to recognize and appropriately respond to mental health crises. The Asheville Fire Department is also expanding its efforts through the Resource and Engagement Support Team (REST), which has been connecting individuals ...