Mental Health Support for Law Enforcement Calls
Community Mobile Support Team (CMST) counselors are located within local law enforcement substations/departments to help reduce recidivism of Baker Acts, Florida’s Mental Health Law. CMST counselors follow up with individuals law enforcement have placed under a Baker Act. This follow-up is conducted within 10 days of the Baker Act being initiated. CMST’s goal is to reduce Baker Acts and reduce inpatient care for those individuals who are better served at a lower level of care. If law enforcement comes in contact with an individual who does not meet Baker Act criteria, but needs mental health assistance, law enforcement can call the CMST counselor to respond, assess, and provide the appropriate referral to services. This process allows law enforcement to return to calls more appropriate for their specific training and response. CMST services are available seven days a week and require collaboration with local law enforcement to provide the best services for this population, without requiring co-response or duplicating efforts.

