AUSTIN, Texas — The city of Austin is taking steps to better handle 911 calls related to mental health issues, with a new partnership set to launch in October.
For calls that involve a severe mental health crisis, Austin first responders and mental health clinicians see gaps in how they respond. Generally, what happens is a law enforcement agency will respond first and secure the scene. Then, the mental health clinicians and EMS come in.
“That delays and doesn’t allow us to maximize the utilization of mental health professionals in those circumstances,” Dr. Mark Escott, the chief medical officer for the city of Austin, said…