Interprofessional Collaboration and the Opioid Crisis presents evidence-based knowledge and practical strategies for interprofessional learning and practice in behavioral health crisis response, with a focus on opioid overdose in the United States.

Natasha S. Mendoza describes community-based models of crisis response, with particular attention to harm reduction and health interventions. The book is written for people working to reduce harm in their communities, and it looks at how public safety, emergency medicine, and behavioral health systems coordinate their work. It covers the emergency response system’s part in the nationwide crisis and the evolving role of social workers as behavioral health providers who practice alongside first responders. Readers will find practical tools that clinicians and first responders can use with the people they serve, along with competencies for work that spans emergency services and behavioral health. A final section addresses workforce strain and well-being, including vicarious trauma, burnout, and moral injury, with individual and organizational strategies for sustaining staff in interdisciplinary settings.

Interprofessional Collaboration and the Opioid Crisis is written for professionals who work in emergency response, including social workers and other behavioral health providers. It will be essential reading for students of crisis response, emergency management, law enforcement, social work, and human services.

Natasha S. Mendoza is a Professor in the School of Social Work at Arizona State University.