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H.E.A.R.T. is Durham’s comprehensive alternative crisis response unit that ensures that individuals get the care they need without encountering an armed police officer.

A substantial number of 911 calls are related to mental health emergencies and are often non-violent. But, a mental health emergency can quickly escalate if the responder is not adequately trained to help a person in crisis.

Alternative crisis response units, like H.E.A.R.T., connect mental health professionals, rather than armed police officers, with individuals experiencing a mental health crisis or a quality of life concern.