INNOVATIVE MODEL NAVIGATES BEHAVIORAL HEALTH 911 EMERGENCIES IN GALVESTON. AIMS TO SCALE TRANSFORMATION IN TEXAS, INFLUENCE DEBATE IN U.S.
The U.S. is at a time of promise for a historic transformation in mental health care. For decades, systemic problems have persisted—including high levels of unmet need, underdevelopment of community-based supports, and inequities in access and quality of care.
As part of this path forward, the community of Galveston has rolled out an innovative paramedicine model for behavioral health emergencies. The Galveston COAST initiative aims to navigate behavioral 911 emergencies and change mental health emergency response in Galveston, bringing transformation to scale across Texas and influencing the national debate about how to change mental health emergency response in U.S. communities.
COAST (Compassionate Open Access to Services and Treatment) is a community paramedicine approach that brings together licensed mental health professionals, paramedics, and specialized law enforcement officers to better address the health care or social needs often front center in these emergencies. At the same time, first responders can ensure the safety of the person in crisis, others involved, and the responders themselves.
The COAST teams consist of a licensed clinician from the Gulf Coast Center (Galveston's mental health authority), a paramedic from Galveston Fire Department, and a Galveston police officer specially trained in mental health emergency response. The model is designed to provide on-site mental health assistance and connect patients to ongoing care. Additionally, 911 call takers and dispatchers are trained to recognize and triage mental health emergency calls. Galveston’s 911 Call Center also offers a “fourth option,” asking if the caller needs mental health services alongside police, fire, or EMS.
COAST was designed by the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute. The initiative is a collaboration between Meadows and The Pew Charitable Trusts and is funded and supported by the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation and several Galveston-based foundations.
The city of Galveston announced COAST last summer and soft-launched the initiative in late fall 2022. The program was publicly introduced on May 4, 2023.
MEDIA BRIEFING >>
A roundtable discussion with Q&A was held on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at Fire Station No. 1 in Galveston as part of Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States.
Journalists attended this briefing in person and virtually.
Opening remarks were provided by Mayor Craig Brown, City of Galveston. The conversation was moderated by Dr. Tony Fabelo, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute.
- Max Geron, Senior Director, Health and Public Safety, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute
- The Hon. Stephen Holmes, Galveston County Commissioner
- Doug Balli, City of Galveston City Chief of Police
- Charlie Olsen, City of Galveston Fire Chief
- Felicia Jeffery, CEO, Gulf Coast Center, and
- Julie Wertheimer, Project Director, The Pew Charitable Trust
NEWS SUMMARY >>
In Galveston, a new first response to mental health crises
Will Bostwick |Texas Monthly | January 2024
Galveston expands access to crisis care with new response teams
Julie Wertheimer | The Pew Charitable Trusts | June 7, 2023
Galveston's mental health unit making a difference, officials say
José Mendiola | The Galveston Daily News | May 5, 2023
Galveston launches the COAST program
News Release | Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute | May 4, 2023
How Meadows is diversifying crisis response in Texas
Will Maddox | D Magazine | March 21, 2023
Editorial: It's time for the state to step up on mental health care
The Galveston Daily News | June 4, 2022
Galveston to introduce mental health response unit
John Wayne Ferguson | The Galveston Daily News | June 2, 2022
Galveston officials announce commitment to improving behavioral health emergency response
The Pew Charitable Trusts | June 2, 2022
Dallas program shows signs of effectively navigating behavioral health emergencies
The Pew Charitable Trusts | December 9, 2021
COAST was designed by the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute. The initiative is a collaboration between Meadows and The Pew Charitable Trusts and is funded and supported by the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation and several Galveston-based foundations, including the Moody Foundation, Harris & Eliza Kempner Fund, Ippolito Charitable Foundation, Mary Moody Northen Endowment, and the Sasser Family Foundation.
For additional information about Galveston COAST and to schedule a ride-along with a COAST team, please contact Brett Holmes at brett@brettholmes.com.