Henderson First in Nevada to Dispatch Mental Health Pros for 988 Calls
The city's Crisis Response Team will be dispatched directly from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline later this year.
Henderson is set to become the first city in Nevada to dispatch licensed behavioral and mental health professionals directly to callers of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The city's Crisis Response Team, which already responds to 911 calls with mental or behavioral health components, will expand its role to include direct dispatch from 988 later this year, according to city officials.
Henderson's Crisis Response Team Expanding to 988 Calls
Henderson's Crisis Response Team began responding to 911 calls with mental or behavioral health impacts earlier this year. The team consists of seven people, including five clinicians and two navigators. The clinicians include licensed clinical social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists, and licensed alcohol and drug counselors, while the navigators provide case management support for clients.
The expansion to 988 calls will make Henderson the first city in Nevada to have mental health professionals dispatched directly from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The exact date the team will begin responding to 988 calls has not been announced, but officials say it will happen later this year.
How the Program Works
Currently, the Crisis Response Team is self-dispatching to 911 calls, according to Lisa Kelso, the clinical supervisor over the Crisis Response Team in Henderson. Once the 988 integration is in place, the team will be called in when a crisis cannot be resolved over the phone with a 988 counselor.
"If the call is not resolved on the phone with a 9-8-8 counselor, we will be the first team to be dispatched directly from 9-8-8 to help that individual in crisis," Kelso said. She added that the team's capabilities include completing suicide assessments, diagnosing, and making treatment recommendations.
The team's involvement does not end at the scene. Members work with individuals on an ongoing basis, setting up treatment plans and meeting with clients as often as their case requires.
Addressing a Significant Share of Emergency Calls
According to the City of Henderson, between 10% and 20% of all 911 calls are behavioral health-related, which equates to approximately 24 million calls annually nationwide. The Crisis Response Team was established in part to address this significant volume of mental health-related emergency calls.
Despite the 988 lifeline's availability, awareness among residents remains limited. More than 12 people interviewed were unaware the lifeline existed, though many expressed they wished they had known about it sooner.
Residents React to the New Program
Cindy Ginsberg, who has lived in Henderson with her husband for more than 30 years, said she had never heard of the 988 lifeline before learning about it recently. "I think that's wonderful. Anything for suicide prevention or when someone is in crisis, I think that's wonderful," Ginsberg said. She also shared a personal connection to the issue, noting she lost a family member to suicide.
Marcus Chapman, who moved to Henderson one year ago, also said he was unaware of the 988 lifeline. "I didn't know about 9-8-8, I didn't know that Henderson was going to have one of the pioneers of it," Chapman said. He added that he has lost friends, including veterans, to suicide.
What we know
- Henderson will become the first city in Nevada to dispatch licensed behavioral and mental health professionals directly to people who call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
- The Crisis Response Team consists of seven people: five clinicians and two navigators. Clinicians include licensed clinical social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists, and licensed alcohol and drug counselors.
- The team began responding to 911 calls with mental or behavioral health impacts in 2024 and is currently self-dispatching to those calls.
- Between 10% and 20% of all 911 calls are behavioral health-related, equating to approximately 24 million calls annually, according to the City of Henderson.
- The expansion to 988 dispatch is expected to happen later this year, though an exact date has not been announced.
- The Crisis Response Team can complete suicide assessments, diagnosing, and treatment recommendations, and works with individuals on ongoing treatment plans after initial contact.
Why it matters
Henderson's expansion of its Crisis Response Team to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline represents a significant shift in how mental health emergencies are handled in Southern Nevada. With behavioral health calls making up 10% to 20% of all 911 calls, connecting trained clinicians directly to people in crisis — rather than relying solely on law enforcement — could improve outcomes for some of the region's most vulnerable residents. The program also highlights a broader awareness gap, as many Henderson residents remain unaware that the 988 lifeline exists.
What’s next
The City of Henderson has indicated the Crisis Response Team will begin responding to 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline calls later this year, though a specific launch date has not been announced. The team will be dispatched when a crisis cannot be resolved over the phone with a 988 counselor. Residents can reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting 988.
Frequently asked questions
What is Henderson's Crisis Response Team?
Henderson's Crisis Response Team is a seven-person group consisting of five clinicians — including licensed clinical social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists, and licensed alcohol and drug counselors — and two navigators who provide case management support. The team responds to calls with mental or behavioral health components.
When will Henderson start dispatching mental health professionals for 988 calls?
City officials say the Crisis Response Team will begin responding to 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline calls later this year, but an exact date has not been announced.
How do I reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline?
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a national resource for people in mental health or suicidal crisis. Callers in Henderson who cannot be helped over the phone will soon be able to have a licensed mental health professional dispatched directly to them.
What can Henderson's Crisis Response Team do when they respond to a call?
The team can complete suicide assessments, provide diagnoses, and make treatment recommendations. They also work with individuals after the initial response by setting up treatment plans and meeting with clients as often as needed.
Is Henderson the first city in Nevada to offer this type of 988 response?
Yes, Henderson is set to become the first city in Nevada to dispatch licensed behavioral and mental health professionals directly to people who call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.