Mental health crisis responders will soon have lights on vehicles
WESTCHESTER, N.Y. (PIX11) – In an emergency, seconds can make the difference between life and death.
That's why a new law aims to get the right first responders where they need to go—and fast.
The so-called "Green Light Law" soon goes into effect statewide. It allows trained mobile mental health crisis responders to install green lights on the dashboard of their cars to let other drivers know when they're on their way to assist in a behavioral health crisis.
The idea originated in Westchester County, where mobile mental health crisis response teams were formed a few years back in response to calls for police reform.
"In a mental health crisis, every minute counts," said Joe Glazer, deputy commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health.
"What we really need to do is make sure they need to be able to get there quickly to wherever they're serving," he said.
Glazer called the green flashing lights "courtesy lights." If you see one on the road, you're asked to move out of the way and let them through. Unlike the red flashing lights used by police and fire crews, the green lights don't allow the driver to speed or run red lights.
"Our mental health system has been quite taxed over the years, and the need for help has just exploded," said Helene D'Jay, a therapist with Newport Healthcare.
D'Jay said having a trained mental health professional respond quickly to emergencies won't just save the lives of those suffering from mental illness but potentially the lives of police officers, too.
"Mental health emergencies can end up in violence and sometimes even fatalities," she said. "Being trained to recognize the symptoms and handle it in a way that's appropriate for someone that's struggling with a mental health condition can manage the scene in a much safer, more peaceful way."
Individual cities will have the option to opt out of using green lights. The law goes into effect on June 6.