Baltimore Crisis Response: Mental health crisis beds

Overview

Jurisdiction Level

Municipal

Description

BCRI is the result of collaboration among several local mental health agencies in an effort to better serve individuals in Baltimore City who are experiencing a mental health crisis. BCRI accepts referrals from any source, including the police, mental health agencies, members of the community, and professionals. BCRI works closely with the Baltimore City Police Department, providing a location to which police can refer individuals who do not fit the criteria for involuntary commitment and have not committed a crime that warrants arrest.


BCRI also has a mobile crisis team that can respond to situations in homes, shelters, or other community locations. When police respond to a call that involves a person with mental illness who is in crisis, BCRI provides an important resource -- a location where the police can take the individual and be assured that he or she will be safe, housed, and provided with links to needed services. The ratio of BCRI mental health crisis bed case managers to clients is approximately 1:4, ensuring that BCRI staff will be able to provide needed attention to individuals in crisis.