LOCAL

Tallahassee celebrates launch of mental health crisis response team

Jeff Burlew
Tallahassee Democrat

The city of Tallahassee officially launched its new mental health crisis response unit during a Wednesday news conference.

The Tallahassee Emergency Assessment Mobile unit (TEAM), which has been up and running since March 29, responds to non-violent mental health emergencies in the city rather than traditional uniformed officers. 

More:Tallahassee Police launches mobile response team for mental health calls

The TEAM is a collaboration of the Tallahassee Police Department, the Tallahassee Fire Department, the Consolidated Dispatch Agency and Apalachee Center. It consists of a licensed mental-health professional, a medic and a police officer trained in crisis intervention. 

Mayor John Dailey addresses the media regarding the Tallahassee Emergency Assessment Mobile Unit (TEAM), which began responding to non-violent 9-1-1 calls for service with individuals experiencing a mental health crisis on March 29.

Mayor John Dailey, who proposed the pilot project, praised staff who he said worked “creatively and tirelessly” to bring it to fruition. City commissioners approved the project last fall.

“We know that many people in our community are struggling with mental health issues — and that has been especially true during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dailey, a volunteer member of the Apalachee Center board. “The fact of the matter is there are times when a uniformed officer isn’t necessarily the best response to an individual crisis.”

The Tallahassee Emergency Assessment Mobile unit is now responding to non-violent mental health calls rather than traditional police officers. The TEAM, a collaboration of the city and Apalachee Center, consists of a licensed mental health professional, a medic and a police officer trained in crisis intervention.

TPD Chief Lawrence Revell said TEAM was put in place to “get the right people to the right calls.” Each year, the city responds to some 2,300 calls involving a non-violent mental health issue.

“Our officers ... do a fantastic job with mental health related calls every day,” he said. “But we recognize that there are those that are better trained to deal with mental health issues and that many of the calls we go to don’t require law enforcement there.”

Tallahassee Fire Chief Jerome Gaines addresses the media regarding the Tallahassee Emergency Assessment Mobile Unit (TEAM), which began responding to non-violent 9-1-1 calls for service with individuals experiencing a mental health crisis on March 29.

Jay Reeve, CEO of Apalachee Center, the region’s largest provider of mental health services, called the effort a "groundbreaking public/private partnership."

“We have an opportunity here as a community to come together to help folks in their moments of worst distress, people who are having the worst day in their lives. There are times when a law enforcement response by itself is not sufficient for that. In many communities, that’s all they have. Not here.”

Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell addresses the media regarding the Tallahassee Emergency Assessment Mobile Unit (TEAM), which began responding to non-violent 9-1-1 calls for service with individuals experiencing a mental health crisis on March 29.

The TEAM is based at the TFD Station 1 on North Adams Street and responds to calls in a city transit van. It operates 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays, through proponents hope to expand the program over time.

Contact Jeff Burlew at jburlew@tallahassee.com or follow @JeffBurlew on Twitter.

Never miss a story:  Subscribe to the Tallahassee Democrat using the link at the top of the page.