co-responder

[ koh-ri-spon-der ]

noun

1. a mental or behavioral health professional who aids law enforcement in responding to calls involving people with mental health or addiction issues, or any member of such a crisis response team (often used attributively): With the co-responder program, we are seeing more situations resolved on scene and fewer arrests of vulnerable individuals.

   The county mental health center trains employees who will serve the community as co-responders.

   With the co-responder program, we are seeing more situations resolved on scene and fewer arrests of vulnerable individuals.

Word History and Origins

Origin of co-responder¹

First recorded in 2010–15; co- ( def ) + responder ( def )

Example Sentences

Police officials have previously blamed gaps in coverage by the mental health co-responder teams on understaffing at the county, although Choi told the commission Tuesday that the county had in recent months made strides in hiring more clinicians.

From Los Angeles Times

Understaffing at the county has resulted in gaps of coverage by the mental health co-responder teams, Moore has previously said.

From Los Angeles Times

Equally important to improving public safety is the newly launched third public safety department, the co-responder program, CARE; expand the civilian Community Service Officer program, too.

From Seattle Times

Most callers’ concerns can be addressed by phone, McDaniel said, though some people may need immediate, in-person support from a mobile crisis team or a co-responder team, which usually includes mental health specialists housed within police or fire departments.

From Seattle Times

Her role reflects a somewhat new and important iteration of social work referred to as the co-responder model, one that’s building political momentum through statewide groups such as the Co-Responder Outreach Alliance; co-response generally refers to partnerships between mental health professionals and first responders like police and firefighters.

From Seattle Times