Building a Culture of Crisis Intervention in Alamogordo

Since 2019, Alamogordo’s Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) and Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) have become models for mental health crisis response, thanks to a grant from the Paso del Norte Health Foundation. This funding enabled the city to launch and sustain the MCRT, engage Peer Recovery Specialists, and coordinate crisis intervention resources across Alamogordo and Otero County.

The program’s roots trace back to a 2018 Sequential Intercept Mapping (SIM) workshop, which identified ways to divert individuals with mental health or substance use disorders from the criminal justice system into treatment. The MCRT, staffed by a clinical director, a certified CIT police officer, and peer support specialists, provides rapid intervention for children, youth, and adults in crisis. Their main goal is to de-escalate a situation safely and resolve the mental health crisis for all individuals involved when reasonable, practical, and consistent with established safety priorities.

The impact is clear in the data: in 2022, the MCRT responded to 4,422 calls, transported 139 individuals experiencing suicidal ideation to higher levels of care, and made 544 referrals to wraparound services to prevent justice involvement. Only eight calls required escalation to law enforcement, highlighting the team’s effectiveness in de-escalation and harm reduction. In 2023, the team responded to similar call volumes, demonstrating its vital role in community safety and mental health support.

The CIT program has also prioritized training. By the end of 2024, over 440 first responders from 39 agencies—including police, sheriff’s departments, and regional partners—had completed CIT training. This training equips the individual with essential skills to manage mental health crises and reduce stigma. Each session involved over 20 instructors and community partners sharing expertise and personal stories. One CIT Steering Committee member shared, “I know that MCRT has saved lives in Alamogordo and Otero County. I have heard anecdotes and seen the data! This program provides a locally tailored solution, at a time when crisis response has become urgently needed”.

Reflecting on these accomplishments, Sandra Day, Program Officer for the Paso del Norte Health Foundation, remarked, “We are proud to have partnered with the City of Alamogordo from the beginning of their CIT and MCRT programs. Their dedication and commitment demonstrate what’s possible when a community comes together to prioritize mental health, well-being, and safety for all.”

Thanks to visionary leadership, strong community partnerships, and support from the Paso del Norte Health Foundation, Alamogordo’s CIT and MCRT programs stand as regional models. Together, we have built a sustainable, compassionate system that continues to save lives and strengthen the fabric of Otero County.

To learn more about the Health Foundation’s Mental Health initiative, visit pdnhf.org.

To learn more about the City of Alamogordo’s CIT and MCRT programs, visit https://ci.alamogordo.nm.us/712/Mobile-Crisis-Response-Team.