Crisis Response System

Summary

The Salt Lake County Crisis Response System is a comprehensive mental health support network designed to assist law enforcement and emergency services in responding to individuals experiencing crises. Key services include a 24/7 crisis line, mobile crisis outreach teams (M-COT), a receiving center for short-term care, and a wellness recovery center for longer-term support. By integrating mental health professionals into emergency response protocols, the system ensures individuals in crisis receive the appropriate care while freeing up law enforcement and EMS to focus on other emergencies. The system provides a more compassionate, efficient, and effective approach to mental health emergencies.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Salt Lake County Crisis Response System serves over 1 million people across 800 square miles, integrating law enforcement, mental health services, and emergency medical teams.
• 😀 The University Neuropsychiatric Institute (UNI) offers a 24-hour crisis phone service staffed by mental health professionals, providing suicide prevention, emotional support, and referrals.
• 😀 The Warm Line is available for individuals who need emotional support but don't require immediate crisis intervention, staffed by certified peer specialists.
• 😀 The Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (M-COT) provides immediate, face-to-face crisis intervention, operating 24/7 to assist individuals in mental health distress across the county.
• 😀 The UNI Receiving Center offers a short-term, safe space for individuals experiencing mental health crises, acting as an alternative to emergency rooms or jails for up to 23 hours.
• 😀 The Wellness Recovery Center (WRC) provides longer-term care for up to 14 days, focusing on individuals experiencing a mental health crisis requiring extended support.
• 😀 The system allows law enforcement officers to request M-COT assistance for mental health-related calls, reducing the need for traditional emergency responses like EMS intervention.
• 😀 Law enforcement officers are trained in crisis intervention and are the first responders for mental health-related calls, but they work in collaboration with mental health professionals for more effective outcomes.
• 😀 The system reduces the burden on emergency medical services (EMS) and law enforcement by providing appropriate mental health services directly to individuals in need.
• 😀 Real-world scenarios, like the suicide threat case, demonstrate the benefits of the system, where mental health professionals intervene directly, allowing officers and EMS to focus on other calls.

Q & A

What is the Salt Lake County Crisis Response System?

The Salt Lake County Crisis Response System is a comprehensive approach to handling mental health crises in the community. It integrates various services, such as crisis phone lines, mobile crisis outreach teams (MCOT), receiving centers, and wellness recovery centers, aimed at providing immediate support and intervention in a more compassionate and efficient way.

What role does the University Neuropsychiatric Institute (UNI) play in the crisis response system?

UNI provides several key services within the crisis response system, including a 24-hour crisis phone service staffed by mental health professionals, a mobile crisis outreach team (MCOT) for face-to-face intervention, and a receiving center for individuals needing short-term crisis care.

How does the mobile crisis outreach team (MCOT) assist law enforcement during mental health crises?

MCOT is a team of licensed professionals and certified peer specialists that responds directly to mental health crises in the community. They can be called upon by law enforcement officers to provide rapid, on-scene crisis intervention, offering support and de-escalation during incidents involving individuals experiencing mental health issues.

What is the purpose of the receiving center in the Salt Lake County Crisis Response System?

The receiving center offers a short-term, secure environment for individuals in crisis, allowing them to stay for up to 23 hours. It provides a safer and more supportive alternative to inpatient hospitalization or jail, where individuals can receive mental health care in a calm, welcoming setting.

What are the main benefits of the new Salt Lake County Crisis Response System compared to the old system?

The new system focuses on bringing the right mental health resources directly to individuals in need, reducing the strain on law enforcement and emergency services. It emphasizes a more humane and dignified approach to handling mental health crises, with less reliance on emergency rooms or jail incarceration.

How does the system handle situations where law enforcement officers are involved in a mental health crisis?

In situations where law enforcement is involved, officers are trained to assess and de-escalate the crisis. They can then call the crisis phone line to consult with mental health professionals, request MCOT to respond, or transport individuals to a receiving center if necessary. The goal is to ensure individuals receive appropriate care in the least restrictive setting.

What is the wellness recovery center (WRC) and how does it support individuals in crisis?

The Wellness Recovery Center (WRC) is a facility that provides longer-term care, offering up to 14 days of support for individuals experiencing mental health crises. It aims to stabilize individuals in a calm, supportive environment and provide them with the necessary care for recovery.

In what types of situations can law enforcement request assistance from the mobile crisis outreach team (MCOT)?

Law enforcement can request MCOT assistance in any situation involving a mental health crisis, such as suicidal threats, behavioral issues, or emotional distress. The team can be requested before officers arrive on the scene, upon arrival, or even after an officer has assessed the situation.

What happens if an individual is 'pink sheeted' or 'blue sheeted' under the new system?

If an individual is 'pink sheeted' or 'blue sheeted', it means they have been temporarily committed for mental health evaluation. Law enforcement officers may transport the individual to the receiving center, where they will receive an intake assessment and care. 'Pink sheeting' is done without certification, while 'blue sheeting' is done with certification by a mental health professional.

How does the new system impact law enforcement officers' ability to respond to other calls?

The new system frees up law enforcement officers to respond to other calls for service by providing the necessary mental health resources directly to the community. With MCOT and crisis intervention specialists handling the mental health aspect, officers can focus on other emergency situations, ensuring a more efficient use of resources.