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Not every 911 call requires a law enforcement response. That’s why OC Links, in partnership with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, is enhancing the county’s crisis call diversion program to better support people experiencing behavioral health challenges. The goal is simple: when someone calls for help during a mental health crisis, they receive the right response for what they’re facing.
Under the expanded program, 911 calls involving mental health concerns where no crime has occurred will be transferred to OC Links clinicians. These licensed professionals are trained to provide immediate support over the phone, offer guidance, and connect callers to appropriate resources.
If an in‑person response is needed, a mobile crisis response team will then be dispatched to the location where a crisis is occurring. This ensures individuals in crisis receive compassionate, expert care without the added stress that a police presence can sometimes create. It also allows sheriff’s deputies to remain available for public safety emergencies. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to providing the highest level of care to Orange County residents, building trust, improving communication, and more effectively addressing the complex needs of our community.
A mental health condition is a medical issue, not a criminal one, and people deserve understanding and care when they are struggling. By recognizing the signs of crisis and connecting individuals to the right support, we can help ensure safety, dignity and healing for everyone involved.
In addition to OC Links, the Sheriff’s Department continues to deploy its Behavioral Health Bureau teams in partnership with HCA’s Psychiatric Emergency Response Teams (PERT), responsible for proactively contacting and supporting those experiencing behavioral health crises and homelessness in the community, and connecting individuals with resources including housing programs, counseling services, and other support services.
The public can access OC Links directly 24/7 by calling (855) 625-4657 or (855) OC Links.
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