Philadelphia launches mobile crisis services to reduce hospitalization costs

The Joint Committees on Public Safety and Public Health and Human Services of the Philadelphia City Council convened on March 19, 2025, to discuss the ongoing evaluation of the city's mobile crisis services, part of the broader Crisis 2 initiative aimed at enhancing mental health crisis responses.

The meeting began with a presentation from Dr. Williams, who outlined the goals of the initiative, emphasizing its role in improving the experiences of individuals facing mental health crises. The focus was on expanding adult mobile health crisis services, which have shown promising results in reducing the need for costly inpatient care. Dr. Williams reported that mobile crisis services in Philadelphia have effectively decreased hospitalization rates, leading to significant cost savings for the city.

Research highlighted during the meeting indicated that mobile crisis services not only help individuals deescalate but also connect them to community-based care, avoiding the need for police involvement. Historical studies from cities like Atlanta and Connecticut were cited, demonstrating the effectiveness of mobile crisis teams in reducing psychiatric hospitalizations and emergency department visits.

The evaluation team presented preliminary findings comparing outcomes for individuals who utilized mobile crisis services versus those who called 911 and received ambulance care. The data revealed that 50% of ambulance users were hospitalized within 30 days, compared to only one-third of those who received mobile crisis services, resulting in a 34% reduction in inpatient care and an estimated $5 million in savings over two years.

In addition to analyzing administrative data, the evaluation team is engaging with a community advisory board, including individuals with lived experiences, to identify barriers and facilitators in delivering high-quality mobile crisis services. Plans for further interviews with service users were also discussed, aiming to gather insights for continuous improvement.

The meeting concluded with commendations for the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services for their commitment to evaluating and enhancing mobile crisis services. Dr. Williams shared a personal story from a co-investigator, underscoring the importance of mobile crisis services in providing effective and compassionate care.

As the meeting wrapped up, questions were raised about the demographics of individuals engaging with these services, particularly concerning senior citizens, indicating a continued interest in understanding the diverse needs of the community. The committee plans to follow up on these discussions in future sessions.