Santa Monica, Calif., has launched its mobile mental health unit program for city residents, The Santa Monica Daily Press reported Jan. 9.
The Therapeutic Transportation teams will be sent by the city's dispatch center to address mental health needs in the area, in addition to offering psychiatric transport to a mental healthcare facility or hospital.
The teams are also able to implement a 72-hour psychiatric hospitalization for people who are determined to be of danger to themselves or others. They will initially focus on the downtown area, the report said.
The program was developed in partnership between the City of Santa Monica and Los Angeles County and their police and fire departments.