Effective the week of 10/5/26, the Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement (CARE) team has expanded its hours of operation to 8:00 am to 10:00 pm, Monday through Friday, to better assist Chicago residents. The CARE team has professionally trained mental health crisis counselors and EMTs who respond to 911 calls for service for people experiencing non-violent mental health crises and social-emotional distress, instead of Chicago Police officers.
The CARE team offers on-site mental health assessments, crisis de-escalation, brief counseling, and connects residents to ongoing mental health care, social services, and follow-up. They may also transport individuals to nonhospital behavioral health destinations, including crisis stabilization centers, behavioral health emergency rooms, and other mental health service providers.
To contact CARE call 911 and ask for “CARE” when you see someone experiencing an immediate mental or social-emotional health emergency.
To request a non-crisis CARE response, e-mail CAREprogram@CityofChicago.org for a response within 72 hours.
Click here to learn more.
