This House resolution supports designating the week of September 13 to 19, 2026 as National Co-Responder and Crisis Clinician Week. It describes behavioral health as the emotions and behaviors that affect a person's well-being. The text cites an estimate that more than 1 in 5 U.S. adults live with a mental illness and notes widespread opioid use. It says behavioral health problems can lead to homelessness, criminal charges, and arrests and can affect law enforcement, fire services, and emergency medical staff. The resolution describes the co-responder model, which pairs law enforcement, fire, or emergency medical staff with behavioral health professionals to respond to behavioral-health-related calls, de-escalate situations, and connect people to counseling, medications, medication-assisted treatment, housing, food, and other resources. The text says co-responders handle thousands of calls each year, help manage officer caseloads, and show commitment to helping people in need.
The House expresses support for recognizing this week and highlights co-responders and crisis clinicians. The resolution text does not specify creation of new programs, changes in law, or funding. No publicly available information on direct legal or financial effects for individuals.
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The resolution presents co-response as an evidence-based way to improve crisis response. It emphasizes that co-responders can de-escalate crises, connect people to health and social services, reduce strain on officers, and address community problems linked to mental illness, substance use, and addiction.
No publicly available information.