Juneau: City partners deploy mobile crisis response for behavioral health emergencies
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A multi ~ Juneau, Alaska - A new partnership between Bartlett Regional Hospital (BRH), Capital City Fire & Rescue (CCFR), and the Juneau Police Department (JPD) has been established to improve the response and care for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis in the community.

The multi-agency partnership aims to ensure that people in Juneau receive the right care, in the right setting, when they need it. This collaboration has led to the creation of a mobile crisis team, consisting of a CCFR paramedic and a BRH clinician, who are available 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The team is equipped to respond to individuals in crisis anywhere they may need help, including at home, school, work, or any other community-based setting.

The mobile crisis team's response is coordinated by Juneau police/fire dispatch when calls are received from the public, responders, or through the newly established 988 hotline. The team provides rapid response, individual assessment, community-based stabilization, follow-up care, and coordination with other services and supports.

According to Rich Etheridge, CCFR's Fire Chief, "By partnering with Bartlett Regional Hospital and the Juneau Police Department, we can provide timely and compassionate care to individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. This initiative ensures that people in need receive the right care at the right time while also reducing strain on emergency rooms and law enforcement. It's a collaborative effort that reflects our shared commitment to the well-being of Juneau's residents."

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The phased rollout of mobile crisis response began on November 25th with BRH clinicians initially joining CCFR's Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) paramedic team and JPD officers on calls. This allowed them to make connections with community members out in the field. With the next phase of incorporating Juneau police/fire dispatch now complete, the mobile crisis team is ready to expand their response efforts in the community.

According to Derek Bos, Chief of Police, "When situations occur involving people in a behavioral health crisis, having dispatchers transfer callers to 988 or assigning calls for service to the mobile crisis team will reduce unnecessary law enforcement involvement. The Juneau mobile crisis team will provide resources to people specific to their behavioral health needs. We are pleased to be part of this solution in getting the right responders to the right call."

Mobile crisis services are a community-based intervention aimed at providing de-escalation and relief to individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The mobile crisis team is one of the three components of the Crisis Now model used in communities to help prevent suicide, reduce inappropriate use of emergency rooms and correctional settings, and provide the best supports for individuals in crisis.

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Kim McDowell, BRH's Chief Operating & Nursing Officer, stated that "When the difficult decision was made to close the hospital's crisis stabilization unit, we quickly pivoted to evaluating alternate service models because we knew there was still a great need in the community for crisis services. Mobile crisis can provide timely access to crisis services and keep individuals in behavioral health crisis out of inappropriate care settings."

Individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis can call or text 988 to be connected with a counselor who is available 24/7. The counselors will coordinate with local dispatch in Juneau as needed to deploy the mobile crisis team. In case of emergencies, Juneau police/fire dispatch will also coordinate calls made to 911 for immediate assistance.

This partnership between BRH, CCFR, and JPD is a significant step towards providing better care for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis in Juneau. With their combined efforts and resources, they aim to ensure that those in need receive timely and appropriate care while also reducing strain on emergency services and law enforcement.

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