Lane County Behavioral Health announces the launch of Mobile Crisis Services of Lane County

Lane County Behavioral Health, a division of Lane County Health & Human Services, will launch the Mobile Crisis Services of Lane County (MCS-LC) Program pilot on August 18, 2024. This program provides critical behavioral health crisis response, offering timely support, transportation, and connections to essential resources for residents experiencing behavioral health emergencies.

MCS-LC enhances Lane County's mental health infrastructure by offering crisis intervention services accessible to any resident through 988 or the Lane County Crisis Line at 541-682-1001. Crisis line calls are triaged, and the MCS-LC team is dispatched when appropriate
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"The launch of Mobile Crisis Services marks a crucial step in Lane County by expanding the capacity for much needed behavioral crisis support, ensuring equitable access no matter where someone in behavioral crisis is in our county," said Dr. Pauline Gichohi, Lane County Behavioral Health division manager. "This three-phase program complements existing services by providing equitable, trauma-informed care, and on-site crisis intervention, starting with the pilot phase on August 18, 2024."

Key Features of MCS-LC:

• Comprehensive Crisis Response: MCS-LC teams offer on-site support, voluntary transportation, and resource connections, collaborating with law enforcement, first responders, and community providers to provide alternatives to emergency rooms and jails.
• Certified Behavioral Health Professionals: Each MCS-LC van is staffed by trained mental health professionals providing de-escalation, stabilization, and follow-up care.
• Follow-Up and Continued Support: The MCS-LC team conducts a follow-up within 72 hours of the initial crisis to ensure ongoing support.
• Equity and Collaboration: MCS-LC is committed to inclusive, equitable, personalized crisis services for all Lane County residents. The program collaborates with existing services to enhance the county's behavioral health support system.
• Pilot Phase Operating Hours: MCS-LC will operate 8 hours a day, seven days a week, from 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM, with plans to expand to 24/7 coverage in future phases.
• County-Wide Coverage: Initial dispatch will be from Lane County Behavioral Health in Eugene. Plans are to station vans across the county, prioritizing prompt community response times.

How to Access MCS-LC Services:

Lane County residents can access MCS-LC by calling or texting 988, dialing the Lane County Crisis Line at 541-682-1001, or, in some cases, by contacting 911.

• Response Times: Metro - 1 hour, Rural - 2 hours, Frontier - 3 hours (some McKenzie Bridge areas and the upper Northwest corner of Lane County)

Phase 1 Pilot and Future Plans:

MCS-LC will launch a county-wide pilot phase to refine operations and gather feedback, informing the development of a permanent program and identifying community needs.

Additional information and updates will be available on the MCS-LC website at lanecountyor.gov/mobilecrisis, concurrent with the service launch on August 18, 2024.

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