Instead of ambulances responding to mental health crises, teams of behavioral health specialists will respond in partnership with police.
MUSKEGON COUNTY, Mich. — Muskegon County has changed how it responds to mental health emergencies.
Now, instead of ambulances responding to those calls, a team of behavioral health specialists will work with police to respond.
Hannah Drabczyk is the supervisor of the Intensive Crisis Stabilization Team.
“As kids, we’re taught to call 911. We’re taught that 911 is the number to call for help. 911 is a great resource. The police and paramedics are well trained. They’ll come to your house. They’re right there,” Drabczyk said, “But when we’re kids, we don’t know that there are other resources available.”
When a 911 call is received for a behavioral health emergency, two experts from the team head to the scene together.
“What we can do then is really triage and support,” Drabczyk said. “We’re not going to scare you into going to the hospital. It may end up being a service that does that, but when patients call us, we have a mobile crisis behavioral health response.”
In many cases, the team is able to stay longer than other emergency responders, freeing up much-needed resources in Muskegon County.
“Muskegon County has one hospital, one jail. Those are not adequate resources for either, for anybody,” Drabchuk said.
The pilot program, which has already answered nearly 80 calls, is the first formal, written policy in the state, but she hopes it will soon expand to other counties.
“I love seeing those silver linings, because when you’re in the worst situation, you just feel helpless,” Drabczyk said. “To be a part of their journey and show them what it is and know they can really envision the future and think positively and make plans is really big.”
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