FAQ Campus Mobile Crisis Team

“Behavioral health” is a collective term which encompasses mental health and substance use conditions. A behavioral health crisis is when an individual is experiencing either a mental health or substance use reaction that is beyond their usual ability to cope.

Staff are trained in numerous techniques that have been proven to de-escalate a situation. Some of the interventions include, but are not limited to: crisis counseling, motivational interviewing, and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques (exploring the impact of one's thoughts on their behaviors).

The team is sent out through calls made to the UCSC Dispatch Team. Callers should use the CMCT dedicated line at (831) 502-9988. Calls to 911 or UCPD may also meet criteria for the CMCT to respond.

CMCT will be composed of a mental health worker known as a Crisis Intervention Specialist, teamed with an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or two mental health workers.

No. Dispatchers are trained to ask a series of questions designed to get you the help you need. Don’t hesitate to call if you think there might be a need.

Currently CMCT is offered for all locations of the UCSC campus.

Criteria to dispatch law enforcement is based on risk and safety and ultimately the decision to cancel the request will be based on the severity of the safety risk.

Response times are based on the availability of the team to respond and are prioritized depending on the urgency of the call. Given the size of the UCSC campus, approximately 10 to 30 minutes is the expected response time. Be aware that the CMCT does not respond with lights and sirens and is subject to campus traffic conditions.

The services offered will depend on the symptoms and the behavior of the person in crisis.

• If an individual needs more support than what can be provided by the CMCT, the CMCT may provide transportation to the crisis stabilization unit, the Emergency Room, or other appropriate locations.
• Once the individual is no longer in crisis, the CMCT can provide referrals and recommendations to link and connect the individual to Health Services as needed, such as: Student Health Center, Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Health Outreach & Promotion, Campus Advocacy Resources & Education, substance use programs at the Cove, or other helpful campus or community resources. 
• It is the goal of CMCT to provide support using the least restrictive means possible while empowering individuals to make their own decisions that will lead to beneficial outcomes.

If a person in crisis presents with assaultive behaviors to self, other campus community members, or team members, CMCT will request assistance from UCSC PD to assist in keeping all parties involved as safe as possible.

The CMCT utilizes the Language Line when staff are not available that speak in your preferred language.

There is no cost associated with a CMCT response for the recipient of services.

CMCT will leave given CMCT is a voluntary service, and individuals are not required to receive services from them if they don’t wish to. If there is an imminent safety concern, law enforcement or EMS (emergency medical services) will be engaged to respond.

The CMCT Supervisor at bchiarel@ucsc.edu. Please note that this email is not for urgent matters and that the main CMCT number should be used for all other inquiries.