NASW-MA Chapter Executive Director Rebekah Gewirtz contributes to an article on rethinking 911 call responses.

Please click here to read the article: https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2023/08/14/how-some-cities-are-reinventing-911-call-responses

NASW-MA Chapter Executive Director Rebekah Gewirtz writes a letter to the Boston Globe editor regarding placing more mental health care workers in the field.

Please click here to read the letter: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/08/04/opinion/letters-to-the-editor-mental-health-care

Monday, January 2, 2023

The state’s ‘front door’ to behavioral health care set to open as demand for services soars 

NASW-MA Executive Director Rebekah Gewirtz is interviewed about state’s new behavioral health community centers

In this report on the need for better community responses to mental and behavioral health emergencies, NASW-MA Executive Director Rebekah Gewirtz tells New England Public Media, “A response to a mental health crisis should not be met with force. A response to a mental health crisis should be met with help."

Read the full article here: https://www.capeandislands.org/2022-07-20/police-say-they-want-more-mental-health-collaborators-but-theres-a-shortage

https://www.wgbh.org/news/local-news/2022/02/23/should-there-be-a-separate-911-system-for-mental-health-crises

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/courts/compassionate-response-to-911-calls-with-social-workers-makes-sense/

https://www.wwlp.com/news/political-news/progressives-pitch-emergency-response-alternative

https://www.gazettenet.com/Mass-bill-allows-for-more-public-safety-policing-alternatives-44718011