A study by the state investigating its own approach to addressing the behavioral health crisis among the Hoosiers found significant changes in the system that could impact emergency response, the criminal justice system, and the police force. We sought.
Just because a long report is published doesn’t mean the proposed changes will take effect immediately. Rather, this report serves as a roadmap for how to fix and fund state systems. The study is the result of two years of research by 24 stakeholders who make up the Behavioral Health Commission, including mental health professionals, local and state politicians, police, and physicians.
more:Click here for the report
Implementation of research recommendations requires approval by the General Assembly. If passed, here are his three ways to change the Indianapolis criminal justice system.
1. Indianapolis has more mental health professionals available to help
Improving emergency crisis response and suicide prevention were highlighted as priorities by those involved in the study. They said the new National Suicide Prevention Lifeline launched this year offers a natural way to address both.
The 988 System is a system that allows people with mental health issues or those who are worried about their loved ones to call 988 for support and care.
The report suggests taking the 988 system a step further by creating a team of behavioral health professionals who can be dispatched directly to the caller if needed. Such efforts are already underway by states, backed by U.S. Relief Plans Act funding. But to keep the program going after the federal dollars are exhausted, the report proposes imposing a $1 surcharge on phone bills.
The researchers also suggested creating a 24-hour reception facility where some people could be treated as needed following these calls, rather than being transferred to an emergency room.
2. More Indianapolis police officers can focus on public safety rather than mental health calls
When Phoenix officials began using crisis response teams and 24-hour care facilities, the city’s 37 full-time police officers were freed to focus on public safety over mental health calls and transportation. Research has shown that it is possible.
Indianapolis police and city leaders say that having more behavioral health professionals available to handle such calls without the presence of law enforcement would benefit all involved.
Sergeant Lance Durdeen, who oversees the Indianapolis Police Department’s Mobile Crisis Assistance Team, said the unit provides and connects critical services to people in crisis. Mobile Crisis Assistance Teams (MCAT) are made up of executives and clinicians available for mental health calls.
At the same time, he said, not all help requires the presence of law enforcement.
“We found that a lot of the calls we were getting were actually nothing to do with criminal activity,” Dardeen said. We are really happy with the expansion of the 988 that we have.”
In Indianapolis, efforts are already underway to pilot a program that will allow clinicians to answer mental health calls 24 hours a day. Dardeen and Public Health and Safety Service leaders said adding medical professionals who could be dispatched through the 988 system would complement rather than replace MCAT or clinician-led response teams in Indianapolis. .
“A big part of this is making sure we’re assembling a team that can serve the community in the best possible way.
Funding for the clinician program pilot in Indianapolis is pending approval by the entire city and county councils at the next budget vote in mid-October.
3. How Nonviolent Defendants Get More Treatment Than Imprisonment
Stakeholders too often find that people suffering from behavioral health disorders that pose no public safety risk are caught in the justice system, imprisoned, and lead to overcrowding. says much needs to be done to help, but the expansion of mental health courts should be a priority.
Such courts fall under what are known as dispute resolution courts. The purpose of these courts is to provide non-violent offenders with treatment options rather than going to prison.
Marion Superior Court Judge David Selt, who also oversees the Indianapolis Veterans Affairs Court, said, “When I see someone with a mental health problem and they’re in prison, I see it as a crisis. “We believe that by helping non-risky people get the interventions they need, we will have safer communities. You can concentrate.”
The report notes that creating a crisis response team through the 988 hotline should alleviate some of the burden on mental health courts.
Please contact Sarah Nelson (317-503-7514) or [email protected].
