The Burbank Police Department and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health have joined together in a cooperative effort to provide the City of Burbank and the community we serve, a mental health team to address the growing needs of those suffering from mental illness and homelessness. Our two agencies developed the Burbank Mental Health Evaluation Team, known as BMHET.
BMHET is a co-response model comprised of police officers from the Burbank Police Department and a licensed Department of Mental Health clinician. BMHET responds to calls for services or other police contacts that have mental health underpinnings. BMHET is utilized to evaluate subjects who appear to have mental health disorders.
Once on scene BMHET determines if further mental health treatment is required. They then utilize the numerous resources that Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health can access, as well as apply for holds, per 5150/5585 WIC.
BMHET also conducts case management with those in the community. BMHET focuses their efforts on helping those that consistently require our services to alleviate patrol and other police services. BMHET also coordinates with the Investigations Division to assist in proper prosecution through the mental health system and criminal courts system.
In addition, BMHET provides regular training and education related to mental health awareness and responding to calls involving mental health issues.
For further information or to inquire about BMHET services contact Officer Kyles (ekyles@burbankca.gov), or at (818) 238-3391.
Mental Health Awareness Program (MHAP)
The Burbank Police Department is proud to announce its “Mental Health Awareness Program” (MHAP), intended to alert first responders that they may be interacting with, or about to interact with a person with special needs.
The voluntary program is being launched during the month of May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month. Beginning today, the Burbank Police Department will be providing residents and community members with free stickers designed to be placed in the window of a residence or vehicle. The sticker program was adopted by the Department’s Mental Health Evaluation Team (MHET) to raise awareness and help first responders by giving them advanced notice of an individual at the location with potential physical or developmental disabilities.
The goal of this program is to better prepare first responders when responding to calls for service and interacting with individuals who have special needs.
Stickers are available to Burbank residents and businesses and are distributed during business hours at the front counter of the Burbank Police Department, located at 200 North Third Street.
Crisis & Support
988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress. That could be:
-
Thoughts of suicide
-
Mental health or substance use crisis, or
-
Any other kind of emotion distress
People can call or text 988 or chat 988Lifeline.org for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.
988 serves as a universal entry point so that no matter where you live in the United States, you can reach a trained crisis counselor who can help.
For more information, CLICK HERE.