Portland Mayor Commits to Expanding Mental Health Emergency Response Team to 24/7 Coverage
“Simon also pledged to keep pushing the city to expand Portland Street Response, the city’s mental health emergency response team that has provided an alternative to police involvement for certain low-level, behavioral health-related calls, to 24-hour, seven-day-a-week coverage.”
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— Friends of Portland Street Response (@FriendsofPSR) December 3, 2023
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Portland Mayor, Simon, is committed to expanding the city’s mental health emergency response team, Portland Street Response (PSR), to provide round-the-clock coverage. The move aims to offer an alternative to police involvement for low-level, behavioral health-related calls.
Since its inception, PSR has been hailed as a successful initiative in addressing mental health emergencies effectively and compassionately. By dispatching trained professionals instead of law enforcement officers, the program has proven to de-escalate situations and provide appropriate support to individuals in crisis.
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Simon’s pledge to expand PSR’s coverage to a 24/7 service reflects a growing recognition of the need to prioritize mental health and destigmatize behavioral health-related issues. By ensuring that help is readily available at any hour, individuals in crisis will have greater access to the support they require.
In recent years, there has been a nationwide movement to rethink the role of police in responding to mental health emergencies. The traditional approach often leads to unnecessary arrests or confrontations, exacerbating the trauma experienced by individuals already in distress. By diverting these calls to specialized mental health professionals, PSR has been able to provide more appropriate care and connect individuals with the necessary resources.
The success of PSR has garnered widespread support from community members and activists, who have been advocating for its expansion. Friends of Portland Street Response, a local organization dedicated to promoting the initiative, expressed their enthusiasm for Simon’s commitment on Twitter.
While the expansion of PSR is undoubtedly a step in the right direction, it is crucial to ensure that the program receives the necessary funding and resources to operate effectively around the clock. Mental health emergencies can happen at any time, and it is essential that individuals receive the help they need promptly.
Simon’s dedication to expanding the reach of Portland Street Response reflects a growing understanding of the importance of mental health support and the need for innovative solutions to address behavioral health-related crises. With the continued support of the community, this expansion has the potential to bring about positive change in how emergencies involving mental health are handled in Portland..
