Mental Health Co-Response Unit presented at Yuma City Council work session

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - The City of Yuma is looking at new ways to respond to mental-health related calls.

The Yuma City Council observed a presentation for the co-response unit, which included members of the Yuma Police and Fire Departments.

The program would send a specially trained officer and a mental-health clinician to certain calls, such as welfare checks, or someone in a crisis.

"They go out into the community and, anybody who’s having a crisis situation, they go and deescalate it, and then they provide resources, and get the person the help they need," said Officer Raul Fiveash with the Yuma Police Department.

If approved, the unit could roll out as a pilot program sometime next year.