B-Heard (Behavioral Health Emergency Assistance Response Division)

B-HEARD – the Behavioral Health Emergency Assistance Response Division – is part of New York City’s commitment to treat mental health crises as public health problems – not public safety issues. For the first time in New York City’s history, teams of health professionals – including EMTs/paramedics and mental health professionals – are responding to 911 mental health calls through a pilot program that launched in spring 2021,

B-HEARD teams will be jointly operated by the New York City’s Fire Department’s Emergency Medical Services and NYC Health + Hospitals, with oversight from the Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health.