What if mental health workers responded to emergency calls? | Leslie Herod

The video discusses the challenges of using 911 for mental health crises and introduces alternative solutions like the Cahoots program in Eugene, Oregon. It highlights the importance of specialized mental health response teams working alongside police to provide better outcomes. The speaker shares personal experiences and advocates for criminal justice reform, emphasizing the need for empathy and appropriate resource allocation. Denver's successful implementation of a Co-response model is showcased as a positive example.

What is a common reason people call 911, according to the speaker?

• To seek help for a mental health crisis

• To get directions

• To order food

• To report a fire

What unique option does the CAHOOTS program in Eugene offer when responding to 911 calls?

• A police officer

• A firefighter

• A lawyer

• A mental health professional and EMT

During the intervention described, what was the initial reaction of the man in crisis?

• He called the police himself

• He was erratic and refused to come out

• He left the house

• He immediately cooperated

What did the CAHOOTS team do to help the man in crisis?

• Talked to him about resources and made a plan

• Left him alone

• Ignored his financial issues

• Arrested him

What is the main goal of the Co-response model implemented in Denver?

• To build more prisons

• To replace police officers with robots

• To provide mental health support alongside law enforcement

• To increase police presence

How has the STAR program in Denver impacted police involvement in mental health crises?

• Increased the number of citations

• Led to more fines

• Reduced the need for police backup

• Increased police arrests

What is the speaker's perspective on the role of police in mental health crises?

• Police should only focus on traffic violations

• Police should work with mental health professionals

• Police should not be involved at all

• Police should handle all mental health crises