Clinician-led mental health response team expands to Indy's north side

A team of civilians that responds to mental health calls in Indianapolis will expand to the north side.

When the Clinician-Led Community Response Team started in 2023 it only reached people in IMPD’s downtown district. This year it expanded to the east side, and in 2025 the program will serve residents on the north side.

The city says since its start the teams have been able to assist more than 600 residents. 

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said this expansion to the north district is a chance to improve the program.

“A chance to serve our residents better than we did the year before, and one thing that we commit ourselves to improving every year is the health and well-being of our community,” Hogsett said.

The expansion to IMPD’s north district is in response to a greater number of calls and a general need for more mental health help in Indianapolis. It’s being funded through the Office of Public Health and Safety budget.

The teams, which include clinicians and peer support, respond to mental health emergency calls instead of law enforcement.

Stepping Stones Therapy Center is the organization contracted to lead the clinician-led program. Director Andrea Brown said calls are diverted to them from 911. 

“When we arrive on the scene, our clinicians conduct mental health assessments, provide immediate de-escalation and importantly, connect individuals to further care,” Brown said.

Brown said Stepping Stones has been able to hire 24 new team members this year.

The city also runs the MCAT program, allowing police to respond with a team that includes behavioral health professionals.

The Clinician-Led Community Response Team was launched in the wake of the death of Herman Whitfield III. Two police officers accused of his death were found not guilty last week.