Despite Their Successes, Some Mobile Crisis Response Team...

What’s Happening

Let’s talk about Mobile crisis units are trained to respond to emergency calls when people are experiencing delusions or hallucinations.

But unlike police departments, which are generally funded by local taxpayers, mobile crisis teams don’t have a single, reliable funding source. So, some are closing down, despite successful operations and local support. (we’re not making this up)

Despite Their Successes, Some Mobile Crisis Response Teams Are in Crisis By Aaron Bolton, MTPR Republish This Story Therapist Luke Forney (left) and responder Evan Thiessen drive to a home in Bozeman, Montana, after receiving a call about a resident experiencing a psychiatric crisis.

The Details

The mobile crisis team in Bozeman has reduced the time police spend on mental health calls by nearly 80%. (Ruth Eddy/Yellowstone Public Radio) It was a snowy afternoon in Bozeman, a city of nearly 60,000 nestled among the mountains of southern Montana.

Temperatures hovered in the mid-30s. This article is from a partnership with Montana Public Radio , NPR , and KFF Health News.

Why This Matters

It can be republished for free . The city’s mobile crisis team had just gotten a call about a man walking around outside without shoes. The man’s family told the team he was having a mental health crisis and wouldn’t come inside.

Medical professionals are taking note of this development.

Key Takeaways

• As they drove down the highway toward the city’s outskirts, team member Evan Thiessen spoke with the relative who had reached out.
• “You’re doing the right thing, and we’re going to make sure he gets help today, OK?
• Luke Forney , a licensed therapist, had that in mind as they pulled into a neighborhood of single-family homes.

The Bottom Line

But financial support for them is often inadequate and inconsistent, leaving many communities struggling to keep the teams operating. Two programs — one in solid Falls, in central Montana, and one in Billings, in south-central Montana — just shut down.

Are you here for this or nah?