A lack of treatment and support for those experiencing a mental health crisis has a broad impact, affecting not only individuals and families but also straining hospital systems, law enforcement, and communities. According to the American Psychological Association, at least 20% of police calls involve a mental health or substance use crisis, and for many departments that demand is growing.
Building An Ideal Behavioral Health Crisis System
The DuPage County Health Department is taking a bold step toward revolutionizing behavioral health care. A new type of program called the Crisis Recovery Center (CRC) will fulfill the Health Department’s investment in a full continuum of behavioral health care for the community, including “Someone to call, someone to respond, and somewhere to go”. This shift has the potential to change the landscape of mental health services at the community level, destigmatize mental health issues, and create a more appropriate location for those in crisis than the currently available alternatives of hospitals and jails.
DuPage County Health Department’s current operation for behavioral health care includes:
- A 988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
- Mobile Crisis Response teams work 24/7, to respond to adults and youth in their location of crisis, to determine the next appropriate level of care.
- A voluntary 12-bed Crisis Respite unit serves adults who are experiencing increased psychiatric symptoms but do not require inpatient hospitalization.
- Outpatient support services for Youth, Adult, and Sobering/Withdrawal Management
The breakthrough programmatic element that will help link together all DuPage County behavioral health services is the Crisis Recovery Center (CRC). The CRC provides a safe space for those in crisis. This new service will act as an emergency department for people experiencing a mental health crisis. The center will provide 24/7 crisis intervention, assessment, and evaluation within a noninstitutional, caring, and therapeutic environment. It will serve as a voluntary, single point of access within the community for law enforcement officers, EMS, and family members to drop off individuals needing crisis assistance, rapid evaluation, and treatment that, in less than 24 hours, will connect individuals to resources and community services as needed for ongoing treatment.
