A lawmaker has proposed to make Utah the first state to train emergency medical technicians to respond specifically to mental health emergencies. The proposal received early support in a state Senate committee on Wednesday, reported KSL.
SB53 would specifically allow EMTs and firefighters to be trained to respond to mental health crises. Agencies throughout Utah could then form teams of those trained EMTs to respond to the mental health emergencies.
Bill sponsor Sen. Daniel Thatcher stated, "I believe that this will absolutely change the way that we provide service to those experiencing substance use or mental health issues."
These trained EMTs would not take the place of therapists, but would triage people to help them get the resources that they need.
Thatcher said, "They will not have the authority to administer drugs or to diagnose. They will give us a tiered response system that better resembles what we provide for physical health issues through 911."
Thatcher explained that as of now, police are responding to some mental health emergencies, which doesn't always lead to the best outcome.
Under the bill, no agencies or localities would be required to hire responders trained in behavioral emergency services.
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Source: KSL