The Division of Mental Hygiene provides leadership and support to Mobile Crisis Teams under contract with the Department and assists mental health professionals and the public by coordinating, implementing and reviewing emergency and non-emergency requests for assistance to "at risk" mentally disabled persons in the community who demonstrate behavior dangerous to themselves or others in New York City. This includes involuntary transport orders pursuant to New York State Mental Hygiene Law, Section 9.45. The Division is also charged with planning, implementation and coordination of the City's mental health emergency response network during disasters.
The Division has developed a wide ranging crisis response capacity designed to intervene with individuals in the community who are experiencing a psychiatric crisis. The Department distinguishes "crisis" from "emergency."
A "crisis" situation is one that requires prompt attention, but is not immediately life threatening. That is, a "crisis" occurrence is one that can be improved or resolved by a visit from a mobile crisis team, who generally respond within 48 hours, or by telephone counseling and referral by 1-800-LIFENET, the Department's 24 hour information and referral hotline operated by the Mental Health Association of New York City, Inc.
"Emergencies" are life threatening, or potentially violent, situations that demand immediate response. In such instances, the public should summon police by calling "911."
In certain instances psychiatric crises may prompt the need to transport an individual involuntarily to a psychiatric emergency room for further evaluation. All involuntary transports are governed by the New York State Mental Hygiene Law.
