Oklahoma City is increasingly diverting mental health calls to crisis response teams, rather than to police officers, according to a recently released report.
From October 2023 to May 2024, the city reported a 27% reduction in mental health-related calls dispatched to the field, dropping from 1,361 to 990, according to the recently released Transformation Progress Report.
It's a sign efforts to improve outcomes for residents over the last four years are working, city officials said.
“This report underscores the dedication of our officers to the well-being of our community, ensuring residents are connected with resources that meet their needs,” Oklahoma City Police Chief Wade Gourley said in a press release. "In partnership with local mental health service providers, we can deliver public safety and professional mental health services at the same time."
Oklahoma City's mental health initiatives
In recent years, Oklahoma City leaders have taken a closer look at mental health issues and how city teams respond to them.
In 2020, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt launched the Oklahoma City Law Enforcement Policy Task Force to analyze de-escalation policies and community oversight systems.
Since then, the city council created a Community Policing Working Group to develop crisis response models and officer wellness services and increased membership of its Crisis Intervention Team to send officers with specialized training to incidents involving mental health crises.
Additionally, the city allocated $44 million to establish a city-dedicated restoration and crisis center. It's launching a multi-million-dollar mobile integrated health program, including mobile crisis teams and putting mental health professionals in the 911 Communications Center.
Oklahoma City has also created the Crisis Intervention Advisory Group to review and provide guidance on the city's mental health services.
How have Oklahoma City's outreach programs done this year?
The Homeless Outreach Team, or HOT, works with social services professionals with the Mental Health Association Oklahoma and Key to Home Partnerships members to respond to requests made through the City's Action Center.
In 2023, the Homeless Outreach Team experienced 4,137 unhoused resident contacts, 587 referrals and 2,884 calls for services, according to the report.
Mental health programs and services
Oklahoma City offers several mental health programs and services, including hotlines, mobile response teams and alternatives to law enforcement interactions.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline directly connects callers with professional mental health assistance. The 24/7 call center dispatches contracted professional mobile crisis teams with the state's mental health department for on-site professional care.
In 2024, 489 calls were transferred to a crisis hotline, and 501 calls were transferred from a hotline.
Mobile crisis teams are comprised of licensed clinicians and peer recovery support specialists or case managers to allow officers to connect residents with services. The team conducts assessments and connects people to services.
988 and mobile crisis teams are among a number of alternatives to law enforcement interactions, such as tele-med access through the city's iPad program, referrals to the Triaged Resources Urgent Support Team Program, the Community Advocacy Program and the Overdose Response Team.
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