Street-Level Psychiatry—A Psychiatrist's Role with the Albuquerque Police Department's Crisis Outreach and Support Team

Abstract

A growing number of police departments have civilian units that aid police in responding to persons with mental illnesses. A unique program in Albuquerque, New Mexico, employs a medical doctor. This article explains Albuquerque's model, the Crisis Outreach And Support Team (COAST), and the role of their physician. The article explores the utility of having a doctor as part of a civilian crisis unit and can act as a reference for other municipalities considering a similar model.

KEYWORDS:

• Police
• psychiatry
• mobile response teams
• outreach
• mental health
• mental illness
• emotionally disturbed people

Notes

The term consumer is used to refer to persons with mental illness who utilize mental health services.