Mobile Crisis Team
As of June, 2004 there are twenty-three (23) mobile crisis teams citywide.
What is a mobile crisis team?
A mobile crisis team is an interdisciplinary team of mental health professionals (e.g., nurses, social workers, psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health technicians, addiction specialists, peer counselors). Teams operate under the auspices of voluntary agencies and municipals hospitals. They respond to persons in the community, usually visiting them at home, although their mandate allows them to make contact at other locations.
Who can request assistance from mobile crisis teams?
Mobile crisis teams serve any person in New York City who is experiencing, or is at risk of, a psychological crisis, and who requires mental health intervention and follow up support to overcome resistance to treatment. Mobile crisis teams usually are called by family members, neighbors, friends, landlords, clergy or other person(s) concerned about an individual.
What services do mobile crisis teams provide?
Mobile Crisis Team staff provide a range of services including assessment, crisis intervention, supportive counseling, information and referrals, linkage with appropriate community based mental health services for ongoing treatment, and follow up.
What if the mobile crisis team determines that the individual in crisis needs to go to the hospital psychiatric emergency room for further evaluation?
Teams will arrange to transport individuals to emergency rooms if further psychiatric and/or medical assessment and care is indicated. If the individual in crisis does not agree to go to the hospital willingly, and meets the specified legal standards (i.e., has a mental illness [or, in some instances appears to have a mental illness] and presents a danger to self or others), mobile crisis teams can direct the police to involuntarily transport such persons to the psychiatric emergency room for further evaluation and possible hospital admission. In most instances the police will direct the ambulance services operated by the City's Emergency Medical Services to provide actual transport. The mobile crisis teams' authority to direct the involuntary removal of persons to the emergency room is provided by the NYS Mental Hygiene Law, Sections 9.37 and 9.58 (described below). The majority of mobile crisis teams have 9.37 designated psychiatrists on their staffs. 9.58 designated mobile crisis teams are available in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens. Project HELP, which serves homeless persons, responds citywide.
What other kinds of services do mobile crisis teams provide?
Mobile Crisis Teams also assist in outreach to clients who are part of the City's involuntary civil commitment program and who fail to attend outpatient mental health treatment services as mandated by court order.
In recent years, the teams also have become an integral part of the Department's disaster response network. They have conducted crisis counseling to victims in the aftermath of disasters, such as plane crashes, building collapses, major fires and explosions.
How can be concerned persons get help from a mobile crisis team?
Referrals to the mobile crisis teams are made by calling 1-800-543-3638 (LIFENET), or by calling the appropriate area mobile crisis team directly.
Mobile Crisis Teams citywide serve people of all ages with the exception of All Children's House Family Center which serves children and adolescents only.
