Critical Services – You, your family or those you encounter in your community may need immediate mental help support

Rose Park Neighborhood Assn. participates in the LBPD’s Eastside neighborhood information sessions (EPAC). At the recent meeting the Mental Evaluation Team (MET Team) presented how a joint effort between the police and psychiatric professionals assist during psychiatric situations. You can request the MET Team when you call 911 – they will assist in the best response. The MET unit has grown to 6 teams but are still not 24/7 so although the MET staff might be needed – the beat officer will always be there to respond.

Here is the MET Team description:

Originally formed in 1996, the Long Beach Police Department Mental Evaluation Team was one of the first law enforcement entities to partner with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health to provide a sworn officer and a mental health clinician in the same police car to respond to calls for service.

The Mental Evaluation Team consists of sworn officers who are partnered with clinicians from the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH). MET provides additional resources to patrol by responding to and handling calls involving the mentally ill and homeless. MET also provides functionality during SWAT responses. Some of MET’s sworn officers are trained crisis negotiators and serve on the SWAT Team. The partnership with Department of Mental Health affords the Police Department the ability to offer increased service to those individuals who need access to mental health services in an efficient manner.

The Long Beach Police Department Mental Evaluation Team is a “best practice” unit. MET officers and supervisors are frequently contacted by other local, state, and some out-of-state agencies interested in creating their own program.

Other supports are:

PRMT or the Psychiatric Emergency Mobile Team 800-854-7771

Psychiatric Emergency Response Teams (PMRT) is comprised of DMH clinical staff assigned to specific mobile response teams located in the eight Los Angeles County Service Areas. Teams have legal authority per Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) 5150 and 5585 to perform evaluations for the involuntary detention of mentally disordered adults and children respectively. PMRT responds to requests for mobile psychiatric services within sixty minutes of the initial referral.

Didi Hirsch Suicide Hotline 800-273-8255 or 877-727-4747

Let’s work together to keep all who may be experiencing a mental health crisis safe and with the best support available.