3 models for differentiated mental health crisis responses on campus

Campus police typically serve as first responders to student mental health crises, especially after normal business hours. But given rising student mental health challenges and service call requests—along with concerns about police unintentionally escalating crisis situations—many campus leaders are rethinking their historic response strategy.

Specifically, some institutions are adopting a differentiated response model in which trained mental health professionals—like counselors or social workers—respond to mental health crises alongside or instead of police. This ensures students receive immediate support from responders with specialized skills while also reducing the demand on campus police to handle these difficult situations independently.

• What is a differentiated response model?

  Trained mental health professionals—like counselors or social workers— respond to mental health crises on campus alongside or instead of police.