Every neighborhood in Long Beach now has a special team to turn to in a mental health crisis.

The Community Crisis Response team, which was first launched by the Department of Health and Human Services as a pilot program in West Long Beach and later expanded downtown, is now serving the entire city.

When someone calls for help, the unarmed three-person CCR team—in collaboration with police and firefighters—answers certain non-emergency calls where mental health support, health education or connecting someone to resources could make a difference. The non-law enforcement team is trained to step in during a crisis, calm things down and help connect people to resources.

The team, made up of a crisis intervention specialist, public health nurse and peer navigator, works from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Calls come through the City’s non-emergency number at 562-435-6711, where dispatchers decide if the CCR team is the right fit for non-medical, non-violent incidents.

Since launching in July 2023, the CCR team has already helped more than 860 people facing issues such as mental health struggles or substance use concerns. Most situations are resolved right on the spot, often solved with supplies like food, water, clothing and harm-reduction tools. Only a small fraction of cases have needed police, fire or other emergency medical backup.

The positive results, coupled with community feedback about the need for broader coverage, led to the decision to expand CCR citywide.

The program is a joint effort between the Health Department, Fire Department, Police Department and Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications Department. It’s funded through a mix of local dollars and state grants.

The team does not ask about or collect information about immigration status.

Anyone who needs help for themselves or someone else in a non-emergency situation can call 562-435-6711. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911.