Bill > PR26-0108

This resolution addresses the urgent need for improved behavioral health crisis response in Washington, D.C., recognizing the complex challenges faced by residents experiencing mental health and substance use emergencies. The resolution highlights that in 2022, the Metropolitan Police Department responded to over 36,000 behavioral health crisis calls, and the Department of Behavioral Health's Community Response Team handled 5,671 calls in fiscal year 2024. It identifies significant disparities in access to care, particularly among homeless populations, Spanish-speaking residents, and communities in Wards 7 and 8, where mental health conditions are more prevalent. The Council recommends multiple strategies to enhance crisis response, including improving helpline operations, ensuring "warm handoffs" to services, expanding community-based crisis beds and observation beds, increasing bilingual and culturally competent staff, and supporting the Co-Response Team model that pairs crisis intervention officers with behavioral health specialists. The resolution emphasizes the importance of trauma-informed, person-centered approaches that prioritize de-escalation and connection to services over criminalization, with the ultimate goal of providing timely, appropriate care from trained professionals during behavioral health emergencies.