Mental Health Crisis Support Archives - Tradeoffs

Two smiling individuals wearing green shirts with yellow heart designs, depicted in a painted style.

Call to Mind: The Fifth Branch

by Ryan Levi May 7, 2026May 6, 2026

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.

A woman with chin-length blonde hair wearing a black turtleneck top and blue jeans sits outside, looking forward at the camera with a background of trees and a street.

Mental Illness Left Their Loved Ones on the Streets. California’s Big Fix Hasn’t Helped.

by Julie Wernau and Dan Gorenstein February 5, 2026February 11, 2026

How Gov. Gavin Newsom’s ambitious plan to force more people into mental health treatment left many families still searching for help.

Empty hospital corridor with bright light from a window in black and white.

This Federal Experiment Is Pouring Money into Mental Hospitals. Will It Work?

by Leslie Walker and Dan Gorenstein September 4, 2025September 29, 2025

As states struggle to meet the needs of people with serious mental illness, some are signing on to a federal pilot project that’s pouring new funding into institutional care.

A man in a beige shirt with "Sheriff" written on the back stands in the foreground. Another man in khakis and a green jacket stands in the background talking with a third man at his front door. The third man is wearing a white T-shirt.

What Happens When Cops Refuse to Respond to Mental Health Calls?

by Ryan Levi May 15, 2025May 29, 2025

Why are a handful of sheriff’s departments in California refusing to respond to some 911 calls that involve a person with mental illness?

Sending Unarmed Responders Instead of Police: What We’ve Learned

by Christie Thompson and Ryan Levi July 25, 2024May 6, 2025

There are more than 100 response teams nationwide, but experts say more research on their impact is needed.

A crisis response team member high-fives a member of the community holding bags of dog food.

The Fifth Branch: Keeping People Safe

by Ryan Levi July 25, 2024December 26, 2024

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.

A man in the driver's seat holding a tablet with a map, inside a car.

The Fifth Branch: Convincing the Cops

by Ryan Levi July 18, 2024December 26, 2024

How do you convince police officers that it makes sense to send unarmed mental health workers to some 911 calls?

Sign advertising the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline with contact information.

Progress and Pain Points in National Crisis Line’s First Year

by Ryan Levi July 13, 2023April 30, 2026

We explore what’s working, what’s not and what’s next for 988.

Close-up of hands holding a smartphone with several rings.

Talking 988 with The Takeaway

by Ryan Levi July 16, 2022January 6, 2026

We share a segment from the public radio show The Takeaway featuring Dan Gorenstein talking about 988.

Person wearing a headset working at a desk with two computer monitors.

Answering the Call, Part 3: America’s New Crisis Line Goes Live

by Natalie Krebs, Christine Herman and Carter Barrett July 14, 2022December 15, 2024

In Part 3 of our special series, we hear from individuals working in their communities to prepare for the launch of 988.