How Co-Location at 911 Call Centers Strengthens Behavioral Health Connectivity, Whether In-Person or Virtual
When a behavioral health diversion team went from in-person to virtual co-location at the Tucson 911 call center, the program grew.
It’s Time for Private Insurers to Join the 988 Conversation
A newly released paper tackles billing codes, giving recommendations for coding options for crisis lines, mobile crisis services, and crisis stabilization facilities.
Reengineering LA County’s Crisis Systems
Good intentions alone won’t solve systemic issues. John Franklin Sierra, a health systems engineer, gives the play-by-play on how LA County redesigned and reengineered its crisis system.
Why Partnering With 911 and First Responders Is Crucial to the Success of 988
For 988 to work, first responders must be able to easily and rapidly connect people to care.
How a 911-EMS Crisis Intervention Diverts People in Mental Health Crisis
Grady EMS in Atlanta, Georgia, diverts callers experiencing mental health challenges and helps them find alternative solutions when the emergency department isn’t the best fit.
Austin’s 911 Call Center Integrates Mental Health Call Crisis Diversion
In Austin, when a person dials 911, the call taker asks, “Are you calling for police, fire, EMS, or mental health services?” Adding mental health as an option is groundbreaking and part of the city’s crisis call diversion initiative where clinicians are co-located on the 911 call center’s operations floor.
Virginia Is First State to Pass 988 Service Fee Legislation
On March 18, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed Senate Bill 1302 into law, which designates a 988 call center and establishes a crisis call center fund. It also provides a monthly telecom tax, making Virginia the first state to pass 988 service fee legislation.
Victor Armstrong on Race, Mental Health, and How Removing Police Alone Is Not the Answer
When in a psychiatric crisis, who a person of color encounters matters, says Victor Armstrong. He hopes change is on the horizon with 988 but notes it must coincide with advancing crisis care. Otherwise, telling people not to call 911 without an adequate solution leaves people in crisis and their
Elijah McClain Case Sheds Light on Controversial Excited Delirium Diagnosis & Use of Ketamine During Arrests
Today, we talk to Debra A. Pinals, M.D., about the Elijah McClain case and the controversial excited delirium syndrome diagnosis. Though the case happened in 2019, the diagnosis has recently caught the attention of the mainstream population and the medical field alike because of the application of ketamine by paramedics
FCC Designates 988 to Mirror 911 for Mental Health and Suicide Crises
On Thursday, the FCC voted to formally make 988 the nationwide number for mental health, substance use, and suicide crisis, adopting rules that require all phone service carriers to start directing 988 calls to the existing Lifeline by July 16, 2022. While the FCC moving forward with 988 is essential,
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