911 calls related to mental health are the most likely to involve police use of force. A new book offers a blueprint for a 911 redesign that could save lives.
Alternative Crisis Response Programs
Posted inMental Health
Call to Mind: The Fifth Branch
A collaboration with American Public Media’s Call to Mind highlighting how Durham, North Carolina, has reimagined its mental health crisis response system — and what it has learned.
Posted inMental Health
What Happens When Cops Refuse to Respond to Mental Health Calls?
Why are a handful of sheriff’s departments in California refusing to respond to some 911 calls that involve a person with mental illness?
Posted inMental Health
How Durham, North Carolina, Got Police Onboard with Unarmed Crisis Response
One of the most respected alternative response programs in the country, Durham sends unarmed mental health workers to 911 calls involving mental illness and addiction.
Posted inMental Health
Sending Unarmed Responders Instead of Police: What We’ve Learned
There are more than 100 response teams nationwide, but experts say more research on their impact is needed.
Posted inMental Health
The Fifth Branch: Keeping People Safe
How do you keep crisis responders and the people they’re helping safe?
We look at HEART’s impact on the safety of Durham residents in crisis, the mental health workers responding, and the police.
Posted inMental Health
The Fifth Branch: Convincing the Cops
How do you convince police officers that it makes sense to send unarmed mental health workers to some 911 calls?
Posted inNews & Announcements
The Fifth Branch: A New Series from Tradeoffs
Introducing The Fifth Branch – a special podcast series from Tradeoffs and The Marshall Project. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you don’t miss the first episode next week.
Posted inMental Health
Answering the Call, Part 3: America’s New Crisis Line Goes Live
In Part 3 of our special series, we hear from individuals working in their communities to prepare for the launch of 988.
Posted inMental Health
Answering the Call, Part 2: Struggling to Staff the Nation’s New Crisis Line
In Part 2 of our 988 series, the scramble to staff the new mental health crisis line and the lessons 988 can learn from 911.