ANCHOR
The ANCHOR (Assisting with Navigation, Crisis Help, and Outreach Resources) Co-Response Team is a collaborative group of law enforcement officers, firefighters, medical professionals, and mental health professionals who work together to respond to calls involving individuals experiencing behavioral health crises. The team aims to de-escalate situations, assess needs, and connect people with appropriate services instead of resorting to arrest when possible.
Launched in July 2024, ANCHOR’s goals are to connect community members to stabilizing provider/s for long support and prevention services and engage in harm reduction efforts. The Team, responding to calls for service that come into our community's 9-1-1 system, works to de-escalate and support residents who are in crisis to help provide support at the moment and prevent other alternative options for resolution. ANCHOR’s membership is composed of two members of the Charlottesville Fire Department, one member of the Charlottesville Police Department, and two mental health professionals employed by our local nonprofit partner, Partner for Mental Health (PMH). The Charlottesville Department of Human Services coordinates and supports the Team.
Community Mental Health Supports
While the ANCHOR Co-Responder Program is not a service that members of the community can directly request or call, the Commonwealth of Virginia has set up the 9-8-8 system to provide support to you or someone you know when experiencing a mental health crisis.
988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis workers who can help people experiencing any kind of mental health crisis or emotional distress. People can dial 988 if they are worried about a friend or loved one needing crisis support.
Marcus Alert
The City’s ANCHOR Team also supports the City’s efforts to meet all goals in Virginia’s 2020 Marcus-David Peters Act, also known as Marcus Alert. Additional information on Marcus Alert can be found at the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS).