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Efforts Improving Crisis Responses In Maricopa County

We all know to call 911 when there’s an emergency like a fire or a car accident. But what about when there’s a mental health emergency? If someone’s threatening suicide and they’re unable to cope or are acting out in a dangerous way?

That’s when someone’s in need of crisis response — and law enforcement might not be the best equipped to respond.

In recent years, law enforcement and the behavioral health community here have worked together to improve those responses. Now, what’s called the community stabilization rate here in Maricopa County — the benchmark for keeping people in crisis out of the hospital — has improved so it's now above the national standard.

Terros Health operates mobile crisis response units alongside Solari Crisis Response Network here and across the county.

The Show spoke with their director of crisis services, David Obergfell, to learn more about these efforts.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, the Maricopa County Crisis Line is 602-222-9444.

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Lauren Gilger, host of KJZZ's The Show, is an award-winning journalist whose work has impacted communities large and small, exposing injustices and giving a voice to the voiceless and marginalized.