The courtyard at City Hall was encircled with booths and banners on Feb. 27, 2024 for the Mental Heath and Wellness Fair, with the centerpiece of the day being the debut of the Mobile Crisis Unit.
After being approved by the city council in 2020, the long-awaited traveling support team is fully equipped, completely staffed and available to help.
Mayor Yasmine Imani McMorrin was there to applaud the creation of the team, saying “I am so, so, so excited to be here this afternoon. I’m so grateful to Dr. Dan [Richardson,] to Department of Housing and Human Services Director [Tevis] Barnes, to all of my colleagues who supported this. Historically we know that mental health care has been overlooked and underfunded, and we are feeling the cost of that underinvestment. Culver City is now at the forefront of developing resources to offer help, and to assist the most vulnerable members of our community.”
Dr. Dan Richardson, the leader of the new team, took on the master of ceremonies position with grace, introducing the Mayor, and the other council members who spoke; Albert Vera. Jr. and Freddy Puza.
Richardson stated “Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis can call our number from the hours of 10 am to 6 pm, and the team will go out to their location and provide psychological first aid and provide them any resources.”
The police dispatch will be the initial receiver for incoming calls, and the mobile crisis team may then take over the call. Because of how the 911 network is set up, it is up to the dispatcher to refer to the unit.
The team will be available to the public on March 4th, 2024. A direct phone line will be available soon, but the team can be reached by calling 911 and selecting a non-emergency option, or by calling CCPD dispatch at 310-837-1221.
Among the many organizations that turned out to support the event were the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the Alcott Center, Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, and Southern California Hospital.
Judith Martin-Straw
