When someone in Wichita experiences a mental health or substance use crisis, the response they receive can shape outcomes for years to come — for the patient, their family and our entire community.
For too long, people in crisis had very limited options. Emergency rooms, police cars and jail cells play critical roles in medical care and public safety, but they have limited tools to address the most commonly occurring mental health and substance use crises. The results have been costly, inefficient, and often traumatic for patients, families, first responders, and health care workers.
Wichita has shown there is a better way. A new analysis from the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita confirms what we have seen for decades: When people can access fast, appropriate mental health and substance use care in the community, everyone benefits — including hospitals, law enforcement and taxpayers…