BHCST Expansion

August 16, 2023

Dear Johns Hopkins Community,

As part of Johns Hopkins’ commitment to a holistic, trauma-informed approach to public safety, we are excited to share an update on the JHU Behavioral Health Crisis Support Team (BHCST). The BHCST pairs licensed clinicians who have crisis response expertise with specially trained public safety personnel to assist people experiencing behavioral health crises, 24/7, 365 days a year. 

Following successful implementation on the Homewood and Peabody campuses, we have expanded the service in pilot phase to cover our East Baltimore campus, as of Aug. 14. Since the program’s launch—from Oct. 27, 2021, through June 31, 2023—the BHCST has responded to 264 calls on and surrounding the Homewood and Peabody campuses.

During this pilot phase, which will run through the end of 2023, BHCST clinicians will be available for mobile crisis response on our East Baltimore campus Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., with 24-hour support available by phone through the Access Line.

To reach the BHCST, you can call the Access Line at 410-516-WELL (9355). 

Over the past several months, our teams have met with faculty, staff, and students, as well as with Maryland state delegates, Baltimore City Council members, and East Baltimore community groups, to gather feedback to help inform the expansion of this important initiative. We are committed to ongoing partnership with our community and the BHCST advisory committee as we continue to strengthen our mobile crisis response. 

The BHCST team primarily serves Johns Hopkins students, trainees, faculty, and staff but also responds to calls for non-JHU-affiliated individuals experiencing crisis within our campus boundaries and connects them to Baltimore Crisis Response Inc., an organization that provides quality mental health assistance to individuals in crisis in Baltimore City, and other community resources.

Regular updates and more information are available on the Public Safety website or the student well-being website. Input and questions are also welcome by email at bhresponse@jhu.edu.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Branville Bard Jr.

Vice President for Public Safety

Kevin Shollenberger Vice Provost for Student Health & Well-Being