They help police with mental health calls. So why are 'mobile crisis' teams in crisis?

Therapist Luke Forney (left) and responder Evan Thiessen drive to a home in Bozeman, Mont. after receiving a call about a resident having a psychiatric crisis. The mobile crisis team in Bozeman has reduced time police spend on mental health calls by nearly 80%.

Interactions between police and someone in psychiatric crisis can end in violence. Communities have been sending mental health professionals instead, but paying for that service has been a struggle.

(Image credit: Ruth Eddy)