Bernalillo County's Behavioral Health Unit rapidly grows, diverting 911 calls

August 16, 2026 - 08:44

County officials report that the specialized units, which now operate three teams around the clock, are handling a growing share of 911 calls that once went straight to law enforcement. Since paramedics on these teams were cleared to give the antipsychotic medication olanzapine in the field, the program has become noticeably more efficient at calming crises without a trip to the emergency room.

The change, which took effect earlier this year, lets medics treat people experiencing severe psychiatric episodes on the spot. Previously, many of these individuals would have been transported to a hospital even if they did not need medical care, tying up resources and adding stress to an already tense situation. Now, the teams can stabilize someone, check their vital signs, and connect them with follow-up services right there.

According to the latest county data, the number of calls diverted from traditional police and ambulance responses has climbed sharply since the medication protocol was introduced. Officials say the teams are not just responding faster but also reducing repeat calls from the same individuals, a sign that the approach is addressing underlying issues rather than just putting a temporary patch on them.

The program started as a pilot with a single unit and has expanded in stages. The current three-team setup covers all hours of the day, which has been key to its success, since many mental health emergencies happen late at night or early in the morning. County staff are now looking at additional training and possibly adding a fourth team if the demand keeps rising.

While the numbers are encouraging, officials caution that the program is not a cure-all. It works best for people who are in crisis but do not pose a serious threat to themselves or others. For those cases, the teams offer a humane and practical alternative to a jail cell or an emergency department. The county plans to release a fuller report on outcomes, including hospital admission rates and patient follow-through, later this year.