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The Cost Savings of Diversion Through Mental Health Co-Responder Programs

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: A police department in northern Delaware developed a co-responder program called the Behavioural Health Unit (BHU) that deployed a trained police officer and mental health clinician to assist individuals presenting with serious mental health issues. The study described in the source article examined diversion/deflection outcomes and estimated the cost savings of decisions to divert people with mental illness (PWMI) from incarceration and hospital emergency care. Between 2020 and 2023, the BHU handled a growing average number of dispatches and increased the average number of connections to care via referrals. Importantly, the program led to fewer instances of incarceration (n = 120) and emergency room visits (n = 97). Both types of diversions yielded a cost savings of over $2.8 million.

Source: Applied police briefings :

DOI: 10.22215/apb.v1i1.5225

Authors: Ellen A. Donnelly, Daniel J. O'Connell, Madeline Stenger, Adam Gavnik, Jullianne Regalado, Emalie Rell

Language: English

Topic: Policing Practices and Perceptions

Subfield: Political Science and International Relations

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

OpenAlex ID: W4409009741

FWCI:

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Related to: 10