Grady launches Mobile Crisis Response with donor support

Grady is expanding its response to mental health emergencies with our Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCR), which provides a non-police response to 911 calls related to behavioral health needs.

Thanks to a generous donation from Bryan Fields, Dr. Doug Kallman and Duke Sullivan, the team now has a specially equipped SUV that helps the team reduce anxiety for the patient and minimize the stigma often associated with an ambulance response by avoiding unnecessary public attention.

The MCR pairs a paramedic with a licensed behavioral health clinician to assess and de-escalate situations, provide stabilization and education, connect people with community resources and, when appropriate, divert individuals from unnecessary emergency department or jail involvement.

Our goal is to match people experiencing a behavioral health crisis with the professionals best equipped to address their needs. Of the 1,359 calls MCR has responded to in 2025, 60% of the individuals were unhoused and in need of resources to avoid unnecessary stays in an emergency room or an arrest.

By providing an alternative response, Grady hopes to free law enforcement and other first responders to focus on medical and safety emergencies while creating a more supportive entry point into the mental health system. The team also aims to connect people with ongoing outpatient services, helping reduce the likelihood of future crises and supporting longer-term stability in the community.