Analyzing Alternative Behavioral Crisis Response Models in the U.S.

In the U.S., communities often rely on the criminal justice system to respond to, house, and treat individuals with mental health and substance use problems. This has resulted in a crisis response system that relies on police officers to respond to mental and behavioral health crisis due to a lack of options. Unfortunately, these encounters can be dangerous for individuals in need of help. Additionally, this has led to a disproportionate number of individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders being housed in prisons. Alternatives to our current crisis response system already exist in the form of community-based mobile crisis response teams that rely on mental health workers instead of law enforcement. This review examines such programs that have been enacted in multiple cities across the country. Analysis of these alternative crisis response models shows that community-based programs are more effective, efficient, and safer than the current standard that relies on law enforcement. This analysis highlights the need for the establishment of community-based crisis response teams as the national standard.

Perspectives from diverse stakeholders in a youth community-based participatory research project.

INTRODUCTION: TEEN HEED (Help Educate to Eliminate Diabetes) is a community-based youth participatory action research (YPAR) study in which prediabetic adolescents from a predominantly low-income, non-white neighborhood in New York City participated in a peer-led diabetes prevention intervention. The aim of the current analysis is to evaluate the TEEN HEED program through examination of multiple stakeholder perspectives to identify strengths and areas for improvement that may inform other YPAR projects. METHODS: We conducted 44 individual in-depth interviews with representatives from six stakeholder groups (study participants, peer leaders, study interns and coordinators, and younger and older community action board members). Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis to identify overarching themes. RESULTS: Dominant themes identified were: 1) YPAR principles and engagement, 2) Youth engagement through peer education, 3) Challenges and motivations for research participation, 4) Study improvements and sustainability, and 5) Professional and personal impacts of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Emergent themes from this study provided insights on the value of youth participation in research and informed recommendations for future YPAR studies.