Baltimore expands behavioral health crisis response amid rising overdose incidents

The City Council of Baltimore convened on July 9, 2025, for a hearing focused on public health, particularly addressing the city's ongoing efforts to enhance its behavioral health infrastructure. The meeting began with a somber acknowledgment of recent tragedies involving individuals in crisis, emphasizing the urgency of the work being undertaken.

The discussion highlighted Baltimore's commitment to creating a responsive system that prioritizes safety and dignity for those experiencing behavioral health crises. The speaker, a co-chair of the Baltimore City Behavioral Health Collaborative, outlined the city's progress under a federal consent decree aimed at improving behavioral health responses. This initiative seeks to minimize law enforcement interactions during crises and instead deploy trained clinicians to handle specific calls.

Key components of the city's strategy include the establishment of a 911 diversion program, which has expanded from handling two types of behavioral health calls to seven, including youth-related incidents. The integration of behavioral health clinicians within the 911 call center has been noted as a significant advancement, making Baltimore a leader in this area nationally.

The collaborative has also focused on enhancing mobile crisis teams, which now operate with increased shifts and include youth-specific teams. These teams consist of licensed clinicians and certified peers, ensuring that no police are involved in their operations. The funding for these initiatives has been bolstered through various sources, including Medicaid, which supports a sustainable model for crisis intervention.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the importance of timely access to care through the Open Access Project, which allows behavioral health providers to offer same-day or next-day appointments. This initiative is particularly crucial for individuals who may have limited windows of motivation to seek help.

The collaborative's efforts also include conducting sentinel event reviews to analyze behavioral health crises and identify systemic gaps. These reviews aim to foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement within the system.

Looking ahead, the city plans to launch its first 24/7 comprehensive outreach team, funded by opioid settlement resources, to further support individuals in need. The speaker concluded by reiterating the importance of collaboration and commitment across all levels of the system to sustain and enhance these initiatives.

The hearing underscored Baltimore's proactive approach to behavioral health, showcasing its role as a model for other cities while acknowledging the ongoing challenges and the need for continued investment and alignment in the system.