To reshape the handling of mental health crises, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has infused $20 million into a new, non-law enforcement transportation program, aiming to offer individuals experiencing such crises a more compassionate option than the back of a police car. "People in crisis need health care, not handcuffs," stated NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley, in a move reported by NCDHHS, echoing the sentiment that the existing protocol of involving law enforcement in these sensitive transfers may inadvertently escalate an already distressing situation.
Historically, police involvement in transporting those grappling with mental health issues—from emergency rooms to residential care, has often included measures like the use of police vehicles and sirens, which can create additional trauma, the investment seeks to undo this norm by offering an alternative approach that decriminalizes the act of receiving care, and the initiative is a component of a broader $835 million push to overhaul North Carolina’s behavioral health system. This includes decreasing emergency department boarding times, bolstering crisis response, and facilitating swifter care to all North Carolinians in need of mental health treatment, with the new program operational initially in two state regions.
Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW, Director of the NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services, highlighted the deterrent effect of police transport in crisis situations; "We want people and families feeling comfortable reaching out for mental health crisis support when they need it," Crosbie revealed to NCDHHS, affirming that the current system can intimidate those in need of help, and the new initiative is part of their mission to solidify North Carolina's mental health crisis framework, ensuring accessibility and the eradication of fear or stigma.
Partnering with community organizations is key to the program's design, which aims to reduce the burden on police to handle non-criminal, health-related transfers, allowing officers to concentrate on their primary duties. An open request for proposal (RFP) is currently seeking qualified transportation vendors, who can apply by visiting the NCDHHS website, and these efforts underscore the state government's commitment to constructing a mental health crisis system that is more efficient and less intimidating for those it seeks to serve.
