As a law enforcement officer, you may face people who need mental health stabilization services. Knowing how to respond is often tough, even when you've had training to handle these scenarios.
A police referral to resolve Crisis Services can sometimes be the difference between someone receiving mental health care and serving jail time.
When You Might Refer Someone for Mental Crisis Help
Because of your visibility in the community, you're well-placed to offer information about our crisis services and provide referrals.
You can refer any resident of Allegheny County to our services, 24-hours a day. Or, you can urge them to call us at 1-888-7-YOU-CAN (796-8226) or visit our walk-in center.
Situations to refer someone to resolve Crisis Services may include:
- Domestic disputes (including those involving teens).
- A homeless person who is mentally ill.
- A person who has called and asked you to check on a family member or friend in their home.
Or maybe you know community members who often seem to be struggling. They may want help but aren't sure where to go.
You can refer them to us, and we'll do what we can to help these people. Our services are free, regardless of ability to pay.
Other Ways We Can Help Law Enforcement
As a resource for Allegheny County, resolve Crisis Services can help you in the following ways.
Mobile crisis team
Our mobile crisis team has experience in de-escalation. We will travel anywhere within the county to aid police in volatile situations where a mental health professional can intervene.
Sometimes police have no other option than to arrest those who are mentally ill. Part of our mission is to change this when we're able to do so.
You can engage our mobile unit yourself or through 911 services.
Formal crisis training for police departments
We don't schedule regular training courses, but we can connect you to the proper training for dealing with people in crisis.
We can also offer seminars to law enforcement and other professionals, as well as on-site and in-house training.
