Mobile crisis unit No. 2

Butte County Behavioral Health has launched a second mobile crisis team through a partnership with the Sheriff’s Office. The team began working in March and focuses on south Butte County. It operates similarly to the initial mobile crisis unit, formed with the Chico Police Department in March 2018.

The team, made up of mental health counselors and peer specialists, works with law enforcement to de-escalate tense situations and provide support to individuals experiencing mental health crises, with the goal of reducing involuntary psychiatric hospitalizations. The team also follows up with those individuals and provides community outreach. The second unit is funded for three years with $514,000 from the Mental Health Wellness Act of 2013.