Wisconsin Program Sends Mental Health Experts To Handle Crises

The video discusses a new pilot program in Madison, WI, called Cares, which aims to address mental health crises by dispatching trained mental health experts instead of police. The program seeks to reduce the risk of harm to individuals with mental health issues and provide them with appropriate resources. Personal stories highlight the need for such programs, and comparisons with similar initiatives in other cities demonstrate their effectiveness and cost savings. Funding remains a significant challenge for implementing these programs.

What is the primary goal of the Cares program in Madison, WI?

• To provide financial aid to mental health patients

• To involve trained mental health experts in crisis situations

• To replace paramedics with police officers

• To increase police presence in mental health crises

How does the Cares program aim to change the perception of individuals with mental health issues?

• By isolating them from the community

• By labeling them as criminals

• By increasing their emergency detentions

• By providing them with a sense of connection and being heard

What is one of the key benefits of the Cares program mentioned in the transcript?

• It increases the number of police officers

• It reduces emergency detentions by 41%

• It decreases the number of mental health experts

• It raises the cost of mental health care

What is a significant financial benefit of the Cares program in Eugene, Oregon?

• It saves the city about $8.5 million annually

• It has no financial impact

• It increases police call volume

• It costs the city $8.5 million annually

What is the biggest barrier for cities to implement programs like Cares?

• Excessive police involvement

• Insufficient funding

• Too many trained experts

• Lack of understanding of the need