Six months into a 12-month trial, the Otago Coastal Co-Response Team (CRT) is yielding positive results, says New Zealand Police.
The initiative between Otago Coastal Police, St John and Southern District Health Board began last November.
In six months, the team, consisting of a police officer, a paramedic, and a mental health clinician, had responded to 411 incidents across the district.
CRT project lead Inspector Craig Brown said people in mental health distress often called emergency services for help.
"While we do our best, police are not experts in providing on-scene mental health support. The CRT provides those in need with immediate access to professional support and mental health services."
