Transforming Behavioral Health Crisis Response Services
The Greater Baltimore Crisis Response System is a network of behavioral health crisis response services serving Baltimore City, Carroll County and Howard County.
We are committed to ensuring that the crisis response system provides effective care for people experiencing emotional distress and reduces unnecessary use of medical services and law enforcement.
The regional network coordinates a range of services for Greater Baltimore residents with the goal of ensuring that the right resource is dispatched at the right time. The system uses a triage matrix to determine the level of care that is needed.
Overall Goal: Reduce unnecessary Emergency Department use and police interaction for people in behavioral health crisis.
Key components of the system include:
Anyone can call, or text or chat to the 988 Helpline for emergency emotional support. The helpline is free, confidential and available 24/7. Specialists at our local call centers provide care over the phone, as well as referrals for additional services. More information about the helpline is available at 988helpline.org.
- Most callers get the help they need on the phone. If someone needs in-person support, mobile response services with licensed clinicians are available 24/7. Mobile response services are dispatched to residents across Greater Baltimore through the 988 Helpline.
- In Baltimore City, specialized mobile response services are available for children under the age of 18 and are dispatched through the 988 Helpline.
- When you contact 988, specialists can connect you to facilities that are available 24/7, including mental health residential care, substance use urgent care and detox.
- Many clinics across the Greater Baltimore region offer same- or next-day appointments, as well as virtual services to address the needs of people in crisis. For a list of clinics, visit 988helpline.org/directory/