LOS ANGELES (KNX) – The city of Los Angeles and Los Angeles County are working to help those with mental health issues.
Therapeutic Transit Vans are part of a joint program between the city and county, in which 911 operators will dispatch mental health specialists if the person needs mental health treatment rather than assistance from police or paramedics.
The goal is to help give those experiencing mental health issues the proper treatment, all while preventing police and other emergency officials from being help up from other emergencies.
“We are showing not only our ability to collaborate with the county, but to direct professionally trained mental health workers to individuals that are experiencing mental health breaks,” said L.A .City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez.
The vans are operated by city employees with crews from the L.A. County Department of Mental Health are aboard the van. The vans have already been in use for over a month in downtown L.A.
L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti said within the first month, the Therapeutic Transit Vans have responded to 113 incidents and that 60% of the people in those incidents were properly diagnosed and were taken to the places were they could get the care they needed.
By the end of the month, there will be five vans with 65 staff members operating them 24/7 in the city of L.A. and other areas represented by L.A. County.
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Related
