District Launches Mental Health Emergency Dispatch Program

Being a physician in the District in the 21st century means being on the front line of the most pressing public health issues in the world. In our small geographic boundaries, physicians help address issue found in every state all in one area. The issues are too lengthy to list on one webpage but physicians are on the front lines of addressing health issues for all District residents.

News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues

25th Council session information coming soon.

District Launches Mental Health Emergency Dispatch Program

May 18, 2021, 10:31 AM by MSDC Staff

Joining other cities, the District is trialing a program to better serve people in emergencies who need behavioral health attention.

To better address behavioral health emergencies, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced a new program on Monday to provide targeted resources rather than general police dispatch.

The program trains 911 operators to identify mental health situations which triggers a behavioral health expert to go to the situation. Currently, the program is a pilot that launches next month. During the pilot, the Department of Behavioral Health's (DBH) Community Response Teams (CRT) will mobilize to respond to an emergency when so identified by a 911 call. The operators are currently receiving training on when to dispatch CRT and/or police to these types of calls. If the pilot is considered successful, the District will evaluate what additional resources would be needed to continue the program.

“This program builds on all our efforts to make sure we are providing residents the right care at the right time,” said Mayor Bowser in a press release. “The sooner we can identify what a person needs - whether that is an ambulance, a doctor’s appointment, or in this case, a visit from a behavioral health expert, the sooner we can help them. That’s what this is about: making sure we get Washingtonians the help they need when they call us.”

The pilot is a partnership between Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, the City Administrator, the Office of Unified Communications, and DBH.

Sample of Health Equity Legislation MSDC Tracked

Student Access to Treatment Amendment Act (B23-467)

What does it say? The bill allows for the administration of medicinal marijuana in schools as well as allows students to bring sunscreen to schools and apply it without a prescription.

MSDC position: MSDC supports the language permitting sunscreen application in schools

Current status: A win for DC physicians and public health! The legislation passed the Council in February and was signed by the Mayor. Previous temporary and emergency legislation permitted students to use sunscreen at schools this school year already.

Electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment Registry Amendment Act (B23-261)

What does it say? The bill requires DC Health to establish an electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment registry (eMOST).

MSDC position: MSDC supports this legislation to more easily allow patients to make their treatment orders known.

Current status: A win for the physician community and our patients! The Council passed the bill in December and the Mayor signed it into law on January 16, 2020.

Healthy Beverage Choices Amendment Act (B23-495)

What does it say? The bill would implement a 1.5 cent per ounce tax on the distribution of "sugary" beverages. The money collected from the tax would establish a Healthy People, Healthy Places Open Spaces Grant Program.

MSDC position: MSDC sent a letter to Council Chair Mendelson asking for a hearing to discuss all of the issues around a beverage tax.

Current status: The bill was introduced October 8, 2019 and referred to the Committee on Business and Economic Development and the Committee of the Whole.