Efforts to create an Alternate Crisis Response Program in Raleigh are making progress as the city continues to move forward with the initiative. Over the past few months, the city has conducted listening and feedback sessions and extensive research to develop the program. The new team would include social workers, peer support specialists, and EMS personnel who would work in collaboration with police officers to respond to specific 911 calls. This group aims to provide de-escalation practices and immediate attention in emergency situations.
Dorine Martin, who has been working with mental health patients for twenty years, supports this effort. She believes that increasing services, reducing the stigma around mental health care, and promoting overall community health are crucial goals. Martin is looking forward to the team’s upcoming April update to the city council.
The integration of social workers, peer support specialists, and EMS personnel into emergency response teams represents a shift towards a more holistic approach to crisis intervention. By combining different expertise and perspectives, the program aims to address the root causes of emergencies and provide more effective and compassionate care to those in need.
For more information on the Alternate Crisis Response Program in Raleigh, you can click here to learn more about the initiative. The city’s commitment to creating a more comprehensive and supportive crisis response system is a positive step towards improving mental health care and emergency services for residents.