Date of Award
Spring 5-24-2025
Document Type
Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscript
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Autumn Roque, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Abstract
This policy paper advocates for a structural transformation in mental health crisis response, moving beyond police-led interventions toward trauma-informed, community-rooted models grounded in public health and equity. Drawing on Critical Race Theory (CRT), neuroscience, and program evaluations of models like CAHOOTS, 988, Denver’s STAR, and Durham’s HEART, it examines how systemic racism, institutional mistrust, and implicit bias contribute to disproportionate harm for BIPOC individuals. The paper highlights the effectiveness of peer-led, culturally responsive alternatives that reduce force, hospitalization, and disengagement from care. Using Kingdon’s Multiple Streams Framework, it proposes actionable, scalable policy strategies supported by recent federal momentum, including the Biden-Harris Behavioral Health Strategy and enhanced Medicaid match incentives. Implementation challenges, including funding fragmentation and rollbacks of racial equity initiatives, are addressed with a phased, community-informed strategy. Ultimately, the paper argues that a just crisis response system must replace control with care and punishment with healing.
Digital USD Citation
Carson, Amanda, "Crisis Without Cops: Trauma-Informed Mental Health Care for BIPOC Communities" (2025). Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts. 306.
https://digital.sandiego.edu/dnp/306
Copyright
Copyright held by the author
