New police hotline aims to keep mentally ill out of jail
NCT ID NCT03740139
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study tested a system where police officers can call a mental health provider during encounters with people who have serious mental illness. The goal was to see if this reduces arrests and helps people stay connected to care. Over 1,400 participants were randomly assigned to either have the system available or not, and outcomes were tracked for 24 months.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Police-Mental Health Linkage System (a phone-based support from a mental health provider to police during encounters)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a way to reduce arrests and improve care continuity for people with serious mental illness.
- What could go wrong
- This is a completed trial, but results may not apply to other regions or populations. The system relies on police cooperation and may not work in all situations.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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DeKalb Community Service Board
Decatur, Georgia, 30030, United States
-
Gateway Behavioral Health Services
Savannah, Georgia, 31406, United States
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