Sacramento’s Community Wellness Response Team: A Lifeline for Mental Health Crises
Table of Contents
- 1. Sacramento’s Community Wellness Response Team: A Lifeline for Mental Health Crises
- 2. What is the community Wellness Response Team?
- 3. Success in Action
- 4. Accessing the CWRT
- 5. The Need for Increased Support
- 6. Looking Ahead
- 7. How can people in Sacramento County access the Community Wellness Response Team (CWRT) for mental health crises?
- 8. Sacramento’s Community Wellness Response Team: An Interview with lead Counselor, Sarah Chen
- 9. Understanding the Community Wellness Response Team
- 10. CWRT vs. 988: in-Person Crisis Response
- 11. Successes and Challenges facing the CWRT
- 12. The Future of Mental Health Crisis Response in Sacramento
Sacramento County’s Community Wellness Response Team (CWRT) stands as a crucial alternative to traditional 911 responses for individuals experiencing mental health crises. Launched following a 2020 directive from County Supervisor Patrick Kennedy, teh CWRT aims to provide compassionate and effective interventions, diverting individuals from potential involvement wiht law enforcement when no crime is involved.
What is the community Wellness Response Team?
The CWRT is a mobile crisis intervention service comprised of trained, unarmed mental health counselors and peer support specialists. Operating 24/7, 365 days a year, the team responds to calls routed through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, offering in-person crisis intervention, needs and risk assessments, and collaborative safety planning.
- Mobile Response: Unlike the 988 hotline, which primarily offers phone-based support, the CWRT provides in-person assistance, meeting individuals where they are.
- Unarmed Crisis response: The team is composed of mental health professionals, not law enforcement, ensuring a non-threatening and supportive habitat for those in crisis.
- Collaboration: While operating independently,the CWRT maintains direct access to law enforcement if a situation escalates and requires their presence. They can also transport individuals to the Sacramento Mental Health Urgent Care Clinic or a psychiatric facility, provided the person volunteers.
Success in Action
The CWRT has demonstrated a successful proof of concept, addressing over 900 calls since it’s inception.the team focuses on de-escalation and connection to resources, with outcomes showing “hot moments are being cooled, triggering situations are being de-escalated and people are getting connected to the services they need.”
Accessing the CWRT
There are two primary ways to connect with the Community Wellness Response Team:
- Through 988: Contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and specifically request the Community Wellness Response Team.This method may offer faster connection times.
- Directly: Call (916) 999-HOPE (-4673). Be aware that direct calls may experience longer wait times due to staffing limitations.
The Need for Increased Support
The Sacramento Sheriff’s Office has implemented a policy of transferring mental health crisis calls not involving a crime to the 988 hotline. While 988 is a vital resource, the CWRT is positioned to address this gap. to effectively meet this increased need, the CWRT requires:
- Increased Funding: To expand its staffing capacity and ensure timely responses.
- Public Awareness: to educate the community about the existence and purpose of the CWRT.
- Community Trust: To build confidence in the CWRT as a reliable and effective resource.
Looking Ahead
Advocates emphasize the urgency of educating the Sacramento community about 988 and the CWRT — how to access them, and when to use them. Investment is key, since, “Building public awareness and community trust in this program must also be a priority.” Increased funding is also needed to classify mental health clinicians working in these programs as first-responders with the proper compensation.
The Community Wellness Response Team represents a vital step toward a more compassionate and effective response to mental health crises in Sacramento County. By understanding its role and advocating for its expansion, we can ensure that those in need receive the right care, at the right time.
How can people in Sacramento County access the Community Wellness Response Team (CWRT) for mental health crises?
Sacramento’s Community Wellness Response Team: An Interview with lead Counselor, Sarah Chen
Sacramento County’s Community Wellness Response Team (CWRT) is gaining traction as a vital resource for mental health crises. we sat down with Sarah Chen,Lead Counselor at CWRT,to learn more about this innovative program.
Understanding the Community Wellness Response Team
Archyde: Sarah, thanks for joining us.Can you briefly explain what the community Wellness Response Team in Sacramento does and how it differs from conventional responses to mental health emergencies?
Sarah Chen: Certainly. The CWRT is a mobile crisis intervention service.We’re comprised of trained mental health counselors and peer support specialists. Unlike a traditional 911 response, we’re unarmed and focused solely on de-escalation and connecting individuals with the mental health resources they need. We respond to calls routed through 988, offering in-person support, risk assessments, and collaborative safety planning. Our goal is to provide a compassionate option, diverting people from potential interactions with law enforcement when no crime is involved.
CWRT vs. 988: in-Person Crisis Response
Archyde: So, how does the CWRT work with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline? It seems like there could be some overlap.
Sarah Chen: That’s a great question. While 988 is a crucial resource providing phone-based support,the CWRT offers that vital in-person component. People calling 988 in Sacramento County can specifically request the Community Wellness Response Team for an on-site assessment.This in-person assessment is incredibly valuable in de-escalating crisis situations and accurately evaluating the individual’s needs.
Successes and Challenges facing the CWRT
Archyde: The article mentions over 900 calls addressed as inception. Can you share a specific success story that highlights the impact of the CWRT?
Sarah Chen: Absolutely. I recall a situation where we were called to assist a young adult experiencing a severe anxiety attack triggered by social isolation. Law enforcement presence would have likely heightened his distress. Our team was able to connect with him,validate his feelings,and develop a safety plan that included connecting him to a local support group. A week later, we received a follow-up call.He was attending those meetings and doing much better. These interventions allow us to deal with a problem at the root, leading to better outcomes.
archyde: What are some of the biggest challenges the CWRT faces right now?
Sarah Chen: Without a doubt, it’s funding and public awareness. We’re currently operating with limited resources, which can lead to longer wait times, especially for direct calls to our number (916) 999-HOPE.We desperately need increased funding to expand our staffing capacity and improve our response times. Just as critically important, we need to educate the community about our existence and how to access the CWRT through 988. The more people know about us, the more effectively we can serve the community.
The Future of Mental Health Crisis Response in Sacramento
Archyde: Looking ahead,what needs to happen to ensure the long-term success and expansion of the Community Wellness Response Team?
Sarah Chen: We need increased investment,plain and simple. This includes not only funding for staffing but also recognizing mental health clinicians in these programs as first responders, with appropriate compensation.Building community trust in the CWRT is also crucial. The more people understand the benefits of our approach, the more likely they are to utilize our services and advocate for our continued support.
Archyde: Sarah, thank you so much for your time and for shedding light on the essential work of the Community Wellness Response Team.
Archyde: And now to our readers, what are your thoughts on community-based mental health crisis response teams? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below!
