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Crisis Response Unit (CRU)
The CRU program provides an on-scene response to individuals experiencing an active mental health, substance use, or trauma-related crisis. The team, comprised of a police officer and a behavioral health specialist, will de-escalate the situation and connect individuals to appropriate services.
Program Overview
Behavioral Health Response’s Crisis Response Unit (CRU) is comprised of trained clinicians who accompany police on 911 calls related to behavioral health. Calls are typically related to the following matters: substance abuse, mental health, trauma, quality of life events, and self-sufficient incidents. The CRU's de-escalation tactics involve creating and implementing safety plans in an effort to divert people away from jail and hospitalization towards appropriate systems of care. The program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The program is operated by Behavioral Health Response: https://bhrstl.com/
Program Eligibility
Services provided by CRU are available to any person, including a juvenile, that is:
- Experiencing a behavioral health crisis and/or
- Not an immediate threat to others
- Not in possession of a weapon
- Not actively harming another person
Program Contact Information
The CRU program services are available Sunday-Saturday from 7am to 11pm. Individuals can access services by calling the BHR Crisis Hotline directly by dialing 988 or 314-469-6644.
