Mobile crisis response for behavioral health emergencies in California
Official title: The impact and mechanisms of mobile response services for individuals experiencing behavioral health crisis
Funded at University of California Berkeley · NIH-11435418 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A real-world study tests whether in-person mobile crisis teams improve safety and reduce hospital and ED use for adults in behavioral health crises in Contra Costa County, California.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Berkeley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berkeley, United States) |
| Project start | August 12, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $815,743 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MH145188-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11435418 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 years and older experiencing a behavioral health crisis in Contra Costa County who may engage with mobile crisis services or call centers.
✕Less likely to help
Adults who do not experience a behavioral health crisis or who do not come into contact with mobile crisis services may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project will examine how mobile crisis services perform in practice, comparing in-person mobile response to phone help alone. Using data from Contra Costa County’s 24/7 A3 Crisis Response program, the study will combine numbers and stories to understand what helps or hinders success. Researchers will look at suicide risk, self-harm, and how people use mental health and emergency services after a crisis call. The approach blends quantitative analysis with qualitative insights from communities and responders to reveal mechanisms of effect.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could show how mobile crisis teams reduce crises and urgent care needs, guiding safer, faster help for people in distress.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work with crisis hotlines and mobile teams suggests potential benefits, but rigorous causal evidence in real-world settings is limited.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Berkeley
Berkeley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brewster, Amanda L. — University of California Berkeley
- Study coordinator: Brewster, Amanda L.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.