CHICAGO ~ Chicago has seen a significant increase in the use of non-police response to mental health crises since Mayor Brandon Johnson launched the citywide CARE expansion in May. An analysis of Department of Public Health (CDPH) data by Borderless Magazine revealed a 51% increase in Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement (CARE) responses to 911 calls.

According to Mayor Johnson, this growth reflects the demand for compassionate and supportive care for individuals experiencing mental health crises within the community. "Since day one, my administration has been committed to building a public safety system that meets people where they are with compassion, dignity, and the support they need," he stated. "We are choosing care over criminalization, treatment over trauma, and sustained investments to strengthen our mental health infrastructure in every neighborhood across our city."

The CARE Program, administered by CDPH, deploys trained behavioral health professionals and EMTs to respond to individuals experiencing mental health crises and socio-emotional distress. Since its launch, the program has served over 2,600 people and has hired more staff to meet the growing demand.

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Deputy Mayor of Health & Human Services Arturo Carrillo discussed these findings with FOX32's Good Day Chicago. He emphasized that the CARE team is comprised of clinicians and EMTs who have responded to 127 calls between May and August. The majority of these calls came from the Lakeview, Uptown, and Near West Side neighborhoods.

So how does CARE work? Individuals must call 911 and explicitly request the service in order to receive assistance from the program. If their request meets the program's guidelines, a CARE clinician and EMT will arrive on the scene to provide compassionate care, crisis intervention, and basic medical support.

CARE vans are equipped with essential items such as bottled water, Subway gift cards, toiletries, rain ponchos, jackets, harm reduction kits (including Narcan), and other medical tools to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases. The team also provides referrals to other programs and resources, and in some cases, they even drive individuals to food pantries and emergency shelters.

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The CARE team is also diverse, with many members being bilingual and from different faiths. This allows them to address any religious aspects that may affect a client's needs or access to services. Additionally, staff follow up with clients after 24 hours and schedule check-ins after one week and one month. Case managers work closely with individuals to determine how often they should stay in touch.

However, the city officials hope to expand the program further so that it is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day. For now, residents who observe someone experiencing a mental health crisis can call 911 and ask for the CARE team. If deemed eligible, a CARE response team may be dispatched. Chicago residents can also request a non-crisis clinician-only CARE response citywide within 72 hours by emailing CAREprogram@CityofChicago.org.

The increase in CARE responses highlights the success of Mayor Johnson's commitment to providing compassionate care for those experiencing mental health crises in Chicago. With continued investments and expansion of the program, the city hopes to meet the growing demand for non-police response to these situations.

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