The Westminster Police Department and Be Well OC, a nonprofit with the goal of developing a first-class behavioral health system for Orange County, have entered into a partnership.
Instead of police officers responding to a mental health or substance abuse crisis call, in many instances, the Be Well Mobile Crisis Response Team skilled in de-escalation, crisis intervention, counseling and mediation will respond.
The mobile response team can assist with suicidal ideation, non-domestic violence family issues and disputes, welfare checks, intoxication and other basic needs like food, shelter, water and clothing. However, if there is a risk of self-harm or a public safety issue — for example, if in a domestic violence situation, someone is armed — then the Be Well team will respond with the police.
If needed, the team can transport the caller for additional help. Depending on the crisis, the Be Well team can take the person to the Be Well OC Orange Campus, a local hospital, urgent care or shelter.
“Our goal is to integrate seamlessly with local law enforcement and first responders who can deploy us to mental health and wellness calls while better prioritizing their staff to address community safety needs,” said Marshall Moncrief, CEO of Be Well OC. “This is a win for residents and local agencies across the board.”
The program, a two-year pilot, was launched on June 26. The cost per year is approximately $1 million, said Heather Stratman, a senior administrative executive with Be Well OC, with funding mostly coming from Westminster’s leftover federal pandemic relief money. Be Well OC also notes that funding will come from a local family foundation.
The cost, Stratman said, includes a mobile van plus staff time seven days a week.
Nationally, there is an upward trend of mental health experts responding to crisis calls that were typically taken by the police before. Be Well’s mobile response team first launched in 2021 in Huntington Beach and now…
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