When the City launched BeWell OC in Huntington Beach last August, two primary goals were set: deliver immediate support to residents experiencing non-emergency mental health crises and divert these calls away from public safety officials so they can focus on crime prevention and emergencies.
During the first six months of the Be Well program, the City has gathered crucial data to demonstrate great strides towards these goals.
From August 2021 through January 2022, Be Well has responded to 870 calls for service. Three out of four calls addressed mental health concerns, where case managers helped deescalate a situation, administered supportive care, and provided follow-up case management to provide clients with greater access to wellness care in the long term. Furthermore, nearly two-thirds of the calls did NOT require additional support from EMTs or police officers, which have freed them up to focus on public safety emergencies.
Lastly, the BeWell program is serving a wide swath of community members. Nearly 51% of calls originated from private residences, while the rest provided care and resources to our homeless population. The Be Well program is providing a service that has been needed for many years and we’re here to help. To request services, please call 911. To read the full report, visit www.BeWellHB.com.
