City of Atlanta, Fulton County announce new initiative to handle behavioral health crises

ATLANTA — Officials in City of Atlanta and Fulton County have announced a new initiative to change the way the city responds to behavioral health emergencies.

Currently, law enforcement is the default response to all 911 calls, including incidents involving people having crises due to issues with mental or behavioral health and intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The City of Atlanta announced Monday they will work with the Fulton County Justice and Mental Health Task Force and other local agencies to ensure everyone in the city has access to supportive services, especially during moments of crisis.

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“Mental health affects communities across Atlanta,” Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said. “Given the uncertainty and stressors of the last year, it is more important than ever that we reach those suffering before it is too late. This partnership will help us quickly and effectively serve those who are struggling.”

Bottoms said the city will work with experts in substance abuse and mental health services to build a crisis care system and to “reimagine the crisis system of care and to develop additional responses and infrastructure for behavioral health emergencies.”

Local entities that will participate include Atlanta Police, Grady Healthcare, the Fulton County Courts system, the Georgia and Fulton County departments of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Emory University School of Medicine and more.

The city is also partnering with the Policing Alternatives & Diversion Initiative to allow citizens to make referrals to ATL311 for non-emergency quality of life concerns related to mental health, substance abuse and extreme poverty.

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