MARCUS ALERT
The Marcus-David Peters Act
The Marcus-Davis Peters Act is a Virginia law signed by governor Ralph Northam in 2020. The law is named after Marcus-David Peters, a young teacher who was killed by police during a mental health crisis in 2018.
Marcus Alert enhances services for people experiencing a crisis related to mental health, substance use, or developmental disability. Marcus Alert creates coordination between 911 and regional crisis call centers and establishes a specialized behavioral health response from law enforcement when responding to a behavioral health situation.
What is 988?
9-8-8 is the new 3-digit code for the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-TALK). The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is made up of an expansive network of over 200 local – and state – funded crisis centers located across the United States.
Calls to 988 are routed based on area code and go to the nearest Lifeline Center.
Each regional center is equipped to access the call and determine the type of intervention necessary. Services include phone de-escalation, mobile crisis dispatch, and coordination with law enforcement, where necessary.
Call the hotline: 988
Everyday, 24/7.
911 or 988?
911 is the national number for any emergency.
988 is the regional number. A call to 911 that is determined to meet 988 criteria is triaged to local 988 resources.
Who is supported by the Marcus Alert?
The Marcus Alert is designed to provide call coordination between 911 and regional crisis centers and establishes a behavioral health response from law enforcement when responding to a behavioral health situation.
Calls to 988 are evaluated and triaged care is based on trained experts' evaluation of the call and possible crisis.
Anyone can call 988.
When does a 988 involve police intervention? Will a 988 caller become an H-NNCSB client?
Police intervention is necessary only when a call to 988 is determined to be a serious behavioral crisis, a health risk to the caller, and possibly a health risk to others.
A caller to 988 might become an H-NNCSB client, but not necessarily. That will depend upon how the call is triaged, the level of behavioral health services provided, and if post-988 call services are provided.
Want to learn more about Marcus Alert? Here are some resources.
- Department of Behavioral Health Marcus Resources Page.
- Region IV Marcus Alert information. (H-NNCSB is part of Region V.)
- The national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
- Email the general Virginia alert account at MarcusAlert@dbhds.virginia.gov.
- Complete the form below to request more information.
- Warning signs of suicide.
- Navigating a mental health crisis.