Newswise — Irvine, Calif., Sept. 12, 2023 — The University of California, Irvine and the Be Well OC Mobile Crisis Response Team are launching an innovative, mobile crisis intervention program aimed at supporting mental health within the campus community. It’s expected to be fully operational in time for the fall quarter.
“With the Be Well OC Mobile Crisis Response Team’s deployment, UCI reaffirms its commitment to the well-being and mental health of its students, faculty and staff,” said Liz Griffin, UCI police chief. “They’re working closely with UCI Police to quickly respond to individuals who may be experiencing mental health challenges in our community.”
The key feature of this program is its ability to provide immediate assistance from the Be Well OC Mobile Crisis Response Team in cases not involving criminal activity or violence. The team will work in tandem with both campus and county resources to support the needs of individuals in crisis.
Consisting of two experienced crisis counselors, the Be Well OC Mobile Crisis Response Team is dedicated to responding to mental health-related calls through the UCI Police nonemergency and 911 phone lines. This proactive approach offers direct mental health assistance and significantly reduces the need for police and emergency medical services in such scenarios.
This innovative program adds an additional layer of support to the existing mental health resources on campus, which include an Orange County Health Care Agency clinician who serves the campus on a weekly basis and UCI’s established Counseling Center.
About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UCI is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. For more on UCI, visit www.uci.edu.
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https://news.uci.edu/2023/09/12/new-program-will-provide-prompt-mental-health-support-at-uc-irvine/
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