UC Health and Cincinnati police launch Ohio’s first telehealth mobile crisis response program

The UC Health mobile crisis team and Cincinnati police have launched Ohio’s first telehealth mobile crisis response program.

The program will allow police officers dispatched to assist when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis to phone the crisis team to ask for help, a news release from both organizations said.

Police officers will be equipped with tablets they can use to contact the crisis team for support via video.

The tablets allow the officer and the person in need of help to talk remotely with a social worker to determine the level of care that is needed.

A social worker may need to respond to the scene, for example, or connect the person with community resources.

"We are very excited to be the first in the region using this type of technology. This should be a great tool in assisting those experiencing mental health challenges," Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot Isaac said.

Kathleen Neher, supervisor of the UC Health mobile crisis team, said many other communities across the country are already doing this.

“This gives police officers and social workers another tool to be able to help those who are struggling with mental health issues,” she said.

The telehealth mobile crisis response program is funded by $638,610 in state and local grants.

UC Health’s mobile crisis team has been providing mental health evaluations and treatment to people in crisis situations since 1986.

In 2020, the team received nearly 3,000 calls for assistance, which resulted in 1,339 visits to homes, agencies or other sites.