Imagine a 911 call where the emergency isn’t a car crash or a fire, but a person in the throes of a mental health crisis. It’s a scenario that demands a different kind of response—one that requires empathy, specialized skills, and a deep understanding of behavioral health. And that’s exactly what Onondaga County is working to provide. On January 7th, first responders and behavioral health experts gathered at St. Joseph’s Health in Syracuse, NY, for the Onondaga County EMS and Behavioral Health Learning Collaborative. Their mission? To bridge the gap between emergency services and mental health care, ensuring that every 911 call involving a mental health crisis is met with compassion and expertise.
But here’s where it gets controversial: While mental health is covered in initial EMS training, is it enough? Lauren Giannetti, Director of Acute Care Behavioral Health at St. Joseph’s Health, thinks not. “Over the years, we’ve significantly expanded collaboration and services. New programs are popping up everywhere, and it’s crucial for EMS providers to stay informed,” she explained. This collaborative event was designed to do just that—educate first responders about the latest resources and strategies for handling mental health emergencies.
The goal is clear: to equip crews with de-escalation skills and connect them with the right support systems. “It’s so important to know what supports are out there to co-respond to a behavioral health crisis,” Giannetti added. Unlike typical emergencies, mental health crises are often unpredictable. As Brian Lockwood, a paramedic supervisor for the Greater Baldwinsville Ambulance Corps INC, put it, “We don’t always know what we’re walking into—how the person will be acting or the severity of the crisis.”
Onondaga County’s three mobile crisis teams, staffed with trained professionals like social workers and registered nurses, are already making a difference. “Our response times are generally quick, and we have multiple teams available across agencies,” Giannetti noted. These teams aren’t just serving Syracuse—they’re expanding into nearby suburbs and strengthening regional connections. “We collaborate closely with 911 dispatch and police teams, meeting monthly to ensure seamless coordination,” Giannetti said.
And this is the part most people miss: While initial EMS training touches on mental health, ongoing education is vital. Lockwood emphasized, “Our initial training is broad, covering various topics, but events like this collaborative provide deeper, specialized knowledge that’s essential for handling mental health calls effectively.”
By fostering partnerships and providing resources, initiatives like the Onondaga County EMS and Behavioral Health Learning Collaborative are transforming how mental health crises are addressed. But the question remains: Are we doing enough to support both those in crisis and the first responders who serve them? What do you think? Let us know in the comments—this is a conversation that needs your voice.
