When you report an emergency in the US, police, firefighters or paramedics answer the call. What if mental health professionals responded, too? Colorado State Representative Leslie Herod shares a straightforward and research-backed approach that brings heart and humanity to criminal justice rather than unnecessary fines and arrests -- and keeps crises from escalating into traumatic, or even deadly, events.

Leslie Herod: What if mental health workers responded to emergency calls?

What if mental health workers responded to emergency calls?

Redefining emergency response: Eugene's CAHOOTS program pairs mental health professionals with EMTs, transforming crisis intervention.

Nearly half of police brutality victims have mental health disabilities, highlighting the urgent need for specialized crisis response teams.

Denver's STAR initiative, inspired by Eugene's CAHOOTS, showcases the power of mental health-focused emergency response in reducing arrests.