New Orleans Mobile Crisis Intervention Unit

The New Orleans Mobile Crisis Intervention Unit (MCIU) is the fourth branch of the city’s emergency response system. The MCIU was created by RHD in partnership with the City of New Orleans and its Health Department with a mission of ensuring a more effective, caring, and innovative response to behavioral health crises called into 911 .

The MCIU team works directly with the 911 system, deploying licensed mental health professionals, peer specialists, and crisis workers to meet people in crisis face-to-face as an alternative to Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and the fire and police departments. This approach helps people get fast relief and the right support, while reducing strain on other emergency responders.

MCIU operates 24/7/365, responding to calls triaged by 911 dispatchers. They may handle the call by phone, send MCIU to the scene, or refer it to another emergency branch as needed.

MCIU program goals:

• Provide compassionate and immediate behavioral health care in the least restrictive setting.
• Reduce the use of hospital emergency departments and recidivisms by offering behavioral crisis intervention and support in the community.
• Divert nonviolent emergency behavioral health calls away from police and other emergency first responders.

Click here to view the MCIU dashboard. This innovative tool offers a unique insight into its operations and impact, showcasing data on call volumes, response times, demographics, and more.