City of Burbank Expansion of Mental Health Services

Established in 2012, the City of Burbank Police Department’s Mental Health Evaluation Team (MHET) employs a co-response model to address calls for service involving individuals experiencing mental illness who need crisis intervention and linkage to resources and services. The program pairs a licensed clinical social worker with a police officer trained in specialized crisis intervention to manage situations with potential mental health implications. In 2022, the Burbank Police Department completed 340 emergency mental health hospitalizations, and the MHET team conducted a total of 1,081 mental health-related contacts—the highest annual number since the program’s inception. The Burbank MHET has been highly successful in providing intervention for individuals experiencing mental health episodes and assisting family members and friends in navigating the challenging behavioral health care system. There have been numerous instances where MHET has worked with frequent utilizers of police, fire, and other city resources to achieve favorable outcomes by helping individuals receive the necessary mental health care.

Burbank’s MHET distinguishes itself from other law enforcement/mental health collaborations by diversifying its services beyond merely responding to calls for service. In addition to crisis response, the program prioritizes case management, homeless outreach, consultation services, training, and community engagement in its holistic approach to addressing the community's mental health needs. The team regularly collaborates with community members, service providers, and other stakeholders to deliver services that support sustained care for individuals and families, aiming to prevent future emergency hospitalizations and law enforcement interventions. Recognizing the need for a more comprehensive response to mental health crises and the importance of educating community members about mental health topics and resources, the City plans to implement a second full-time MHET team, comprising a licensed clinical social worker and a police officer. The addition of a second MHET team will enhance the program's capacity, allowing for expanded response hours and increased availability to handle mental health-related situations more effectively.