Chicago: Crisis response team – without cops – would be sent to mental health emergencies under proposal

Chicago Sun-Times | Oct 1, 2020 | News | 27

The “Treatment for Trauma” crisis response team would be staffed by paramedics and social workers and run by the Chicago Department of Public Health. Community health advocates and some aldermen called Tuesday for creation of a crisis response team that excludes police officers to help people experiencing mental health emergencies.

“Currently, the city’s response to crises has been done and managed exclusively by the city’s police department,” said Arturo Carrillo, lead organizer for the Collaborative for Community Wellness, a citywide coalition of community groups. “As a result, the largest mental health provider in this city and this country is Cook County Jail.”

Instead, Carrillo, a licensed social worker, said the crisis response team would be staffed by paramedics and social workers and operated by the Chicago Department of Public Health. The team would be based out of the city’s five public mental health clinics.

The “Treatment for Trauma” proposal was introduced at a City Council meeting Sept. 9 and assigned to the Health and Human Relations Committee..........To Read More......

 

 

My Take - I wonder what these social workers think about this.