In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the City’s Behavioral Health Response Team (BHRT) is hosting a Lunch and Learn event from 11:30 am to 1 pm on Friday, May 22, at the Simkins Indoor Sports Pavilion, 1500 Barber Park Dr.

The event will focus on mental health, the work of BHRT, and the introduction of a new response model for this successful program.

The lunch event is open to community members, but an RSVP is required: https://form.jotform.com/261303505139045.

A program of the City’s Community Safety Department, BHRT is a team of behavioral health crisis counselors and specially trained police officers who respond to 911 calls that appear to be related to mental health or substance use. The team prioritizes de-escalation and connection to services.

The Community Safety Department takes a holistic, collaborative approach to improving Greensboro’s public safety through community-centered prevention initiatives, crisis intervention services to help de-escalate violence, and long-term, intensive case management for individuals whose issues—such as mental health, substance use, and homelessness—have put them in frequent contact with law enforcement.