Last week, we saw what happens when a mental health emergency falls into the wrong hands. So what happens when a comprehensive system, run by well-trained mental health staff, is in place? Today, Stephanie visits a state that exemplifies the gold standard of crisis response: Arizona. Yes, really. While Arizona is typically known for messy politics and scandalous policing, they have been quietly building a best-in-class mental-health response plan since the 1980s. With the roll out of 988, what can other states learn from Arizona? We go inside a dispatch center and ride along with mobile crisis teams to find out firsthand. Plus, Zak is back with tips on how you can help make the Arizona model a reality everywhere.

SHOW NOTES

Become a Call Specialist

Consider volunteering or getting a job with your local crisis hotline.

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988/jobs

Share Your Story

If you have lived experience, share your story with NAMI.

https://nami.org/Get-Involved/Share-Your-Story

Youth Mental Health

Learn more about protecting the emotional and mental health of young people.

https://jedfoundation.org/bts2022-for-youth/

CREDITS

Call for Help is a Lemonada original, presented by Sozosei Foundation. Hosting and story-editing were done by Stephanie Wittels Wachs. Our producers are Alie Kilts and Alexa Lim. Tess Novotny is our associate producer. Natasha Jacobs is our engineer and sound designer. Music is by Xander Singh with additional music by Natasha Jacobs. Naomi Barr is our fact checker. Executive producers are Stephanie Wittels Wachs, Zak Williams and Jessica Cordova Kramer. Special thanks to Chrystal Genesis and Jackie Danziger for additional support.

Follow Stephanie on Twitter and Instagram at @wittelstephanie. Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.

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To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/callforhelp shortly after the air date.

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