Philadelphia expands mobile crisis response services to meet growing mental health needs

In a recent meeting of the Philadelphia City Council's Joint Committees on Public Safety and Public Health and Human Services, officials emphasized the urgent need for enhanced mental health crisis response services in the city. With over 200 Philadelphians seeking mental health support daily, the council discussed the importance of fully funding and staffing crisis response teams to meet this growing demand.

Interim Commissioner Dr. Marquita Williams of the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services (DBHIDS) provided an update on the city's mobile crisis response efforts, which have expanded significantly under the Crisis 2 framework. This initiative includes 24/7 community mobile crisis teams, the establishment of the city's first behavioral health urgent care center, and the addition of a fifth crisis response center in West Philadelphia. These services aim to provide immediate support to individuals experiencing mental health crises, reducing the need for law enforcement intervention.

Dr. Williams reported that between January 2023 and January 2025, the mobile crisis teams recorded approximately 14,302 dispatches, with over 50% of these cases resolved in the community without the need for hospitalization. The introduction of the 988 national suicide and crisis line has also improved access to mental health resources, handling over 6,000 calls per month and facilitating warm transfers from 911 to 988.

Despite these advancements, challenges remain, including high staff turnover and the need for standardized training across providers. The council acknowledged the importance of ongoing funding and resources to sustain these efforts and improve response times, particularly during peak call volumes. A proposed solution includes establishing a dedicated behavioral health transport team to alleviate the burden on law enforcement during involuntary commitments.

The meeting underscored the city's commitment to enhancing its behavioral health crisis system, ensuring that Philadelphians receive timely and compassionate care. As the council continues to collaborate with DBHIDS and other stakeholders, the focus remains on refining these critical services to better serve the community's needs.