Principle #5: Stop calling police on people with unmet mental health or medical needs 

SUBSECTIONS

Why

Invitation / Action

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Reflection Questions

Reflect

Research

Practice

Imagine

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Why

  1. Law enforcement responses to unmet mental health needs often result in serious bodily harm or even death

  2. Health care workers and de-escalators should not be involved in programs partnering with the police

  3. People across the country are experimenting with non-police responses to mental health crises including hotlines and non-police outreach teams 

Invitation / Action

  1. Stop calling police on people with unmet mental health needs

  2. Work with your networks and people who have relationships with the person in crisis to address their immediate needs (i.e. water, food, shelter, care, etc.)

  3. Organize to implement a non-police mental health response in your area

  4. Join Interrupting Criminalization’s Mental Health Practice Space if you/your organization is envisioning, designing, and implementing non-police mental health crisis response programs

Reflection Questions

Reflect 

Research

Practice

  • Introduce yourselves to your neighbors, get their contact information, and share information for the non-police mental health crisis response if you have one in your city. Create a group texting/mailing list dedicated to mutual aid and to supporting people who are having a mental health crisis in your neighborhood instead of calling 9-11

  • Fill out ‘A Mutual Aid and Safety/Wellness Planning Workbook’ and ‘Mad Map’ to plan ahead and get the support you need when you are having a mental health crisis

  • Use the crisis toolkit offerings from the Fireweed Collective

Imagine