Beyond the Badge: Inside Columbus’ Care 2 Mental Health Response Unit
Episode notes
On this episode of Beyond the Badge, we highlight Columbus Correct Care (Care 2), Columbus’ first co-responder unit focused on mental health-related calls.
The Care 2 Unit responds with a specialized van equipped with a medical triage area staffed by a fire medic and supported by a certified mental health clinician, allowing medical and behavioral health needs to be addressed together on scene.
Officer Arthashika Hughes (Columbus Police Department), Fire Medic Ashley Threatt (Columbus Fire & EMS), and Michael Watson (Valley Healthcare) discuss how Care 2 combines law enforcement, EMS, and mental health services into one coordinated response.
The team explains how this partnership improves crisis response, reduces strain on emergency resources, and connects individuals to care at no cost to the community.
Care 2 is available for outreach, evaluations, and community resource events and can be reached at 762-822-0209. If you or someone you know is in crisis, dial 988. #cpdga