CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) — A new mental health co-responder program in Champaign aimed to connect people in crisis with support services and prevent situations from escalating into violence.
The initiative brought together the Champaign Police Department, local firefighters, and mental health professionals to respond to certain calls involving individuals experiencing mental health crises.
The program focused on conducting crisis assessments and linking people with resources before situations became dangerous. Mental health specialists will work alongside first responders during calls and in community outreach efforts.
Officials said members of the team would also go door-to-door in neighborhoods and accompany police officers and firefighters on some service calls as part of the effort to provide additional support to residents.
Program leaders said the goal was to strengthen collaboration between emergency responders and mental health professionals while addressing the social and emotional needs of people experiencing crises.
Once fully launched, the team was expected to include four staff members who would help respond to mental health situations across the city. Organizers said they had been preparing behind the scenes through joint training and planning with police and fire personnel.
The co-responder program was expected to begin operating in the spring or summer.