First Responder Resources & Tools

First responders can play a vital role in advancing health-first strategies that prioritize recovery over incarceration. By integrating 988 into their standard procedures, first responders can ensure individuals receive the right care at the right time, leading to two major outcomes:

• Better Outcomes for Citizens: Utilizing 988 reduces overreliance on jails and emergency rooms. Whether at initial contact or during reentry, directing people to specialized mental health support prevents justice system involvement and increases their access to lifesaving care. Additionally, reentry service providers, including probation and parole departments, work with populations at a significantly higher risk of suicide than the general population. These providers have a unique opportunity to put a free, vital resource directly into the hands of their clients.
• Increased Efficiency for First Responders: Actively promoting 988 ensures that individuals in crisis are managed by clinical experts rather than police. This shift allows law enforcement to focus their energy and resources on their core mission of improving public safety.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free, 24/7, confidential support for anyone facing mental health challenges, substance use crises, or emotional distress. For first responders, 988 serves as a vital frontline resource. It can be used as a direct referral point during an active scene or as an educational tool to provide citizens with a reliable, long-term connection to crisis experts. 

988 can also be used as a "consultation" tool. If you are on scene and unsure of the best clinical path for an individual, you can call 988 to speak with a crisis worker for professional guidance on local resources before making a transport decision.

Crisis Receiving Centers serve as a centralized drop-off site for first responders, offering a more efficient and effective alternative to hospital emergency rooms or local jails. These specialized facilities are designed specifically to handle individuals 18 years or older experiencing mental health or substance use crises, providing crisis stabilization. For first responders, Crisis Receiving Centers streamline the intervention process by offering a "no-wrong-door" policy, meaning they will accept individuals regardless of how they arrive, which allows for a quick handoff to a clinical team of medical providers, therapists, case managers and/or peer specialists. These centers are available 24/7/365 and focus on de-escalating the immediate crisis while connecting the individual to long-term community-based care. By utilizing a Receiving Center, responders can ensure that individuals receive expert-led, trauma-informed support in a non-restrictive environment while significantly reducing the time spent on-scene or in hospital waiting rooms.

Adult Crisis Centers in Utah:

• McKay Dee Access Center (Ogden)
• Davis Behavioral Health (Layton)
• Wasatch Behavioral Health (Provo)
• HMHI Kem & Carolyn Gardner Mental Health Crisis Care Center (Salt Lake City)
• Southwest Behavioral Health (Hurricane)
• Four Corners Behavioral Health Crisis Center (Price)
• Bear River Mental Health Crisis Center (Logan) — Expected to open in 2026

Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT)  work to promote response to mental health crises with teams of specially-trained members made up of law enforcement, criminal justice services, behavioral healthcare services, and behavioral health advocates. Law Enforcement is a vital member of any successful Crisis Intervention Team (CIT). Integrating CIT into law enforcement agencies can save the department money, provide specialized assistance and produce better outcomes for those in crisis, their family members and to the officers themselves.

With best practice CIT, mental health and law enforcement have established relationships and work in partnership to effectively respond to mental health crises. When appropriate, mental health professionals will take the lead in response with law enforcement back-up. In cases where safety is a concern, law enforcement will take the lead with mental health professionals available to offer expertise and support in the response and to connect the person in crisis with mental health services.

When responding to a youth-related crisis, the goal is de-escalation and stabilization. When a situation requires a mental health clinician to respond in person but does not require a police or EMS transport, first responders can request an youth MCOT (Mobile Crisis Outreach Team) or Stabilization and Mobile Response (SMR)  through the Utah Crisis Line by calling 988.

• Utilize SafeUT: If the youth is a student, they likely already have the SafeUT app. Ask if they feel comfortable opening a chat with a clinician they may already know.
  
• Involve the Family: Whenever safe, include parents or guardians in the conversation early to create a collaborative safety plan.
  
• Use the "Least Restrictive" option: Before opting for an ER transport, consider if an MCOT referral or a visit to the HMHI Youth Crisis Care Center  or Intermountain Health Primary Children's Hospital - Taylorsville Behavioral Health Center (both are a 23-hour stabilization unit) is more appropriate.
  
Stabilization and Mobile Response (SMR) provides a free, vital resource for Utah youth (ages 0–20) who are navigating emotional or behavioral crises. When you call 988 or the Safe Fam line (1-833-723-3326), we can send a specially trained mobile crisis outreach team to help your family during an immediate crisis. SMR services will also be available for continued support.

988 isn’t just for the people you serve—it’s for you. First responders experience high-stress environments that can lead to burnout, secondary trauma, and personal crisis.

• Confidential & Anonymous: 988 provides a space to talk without the fear of internal affairs or "fit-for-duty" reporting.
• SafeUT Frontline: In addition to 988, Utah responders have access to the SafeUT Frontline app, offering 24/7 specialized chat support with clinicians who understand the unique culture of public safety.