Behavioral Health Crisis Center “A back of the napkin view”

“It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory” ~ Peter Drucker

“The new Behavioral Health Crisis Centers will help our agency achieve its mission of serving individuals with mental health challenges as close to home as possible”. Commissioner Frank Berry Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

Positive Investments Spending dollars in the right places versus negative investments or spending dollars in the wrong places, for example: County Jails State Prisons Forensic State Hospitals Hospital Emergency Departments Emergency Shelters

Challenge Historically in Georgia Individuals who are in crisis frequently contact law enforcement or go to a Hospital Emergency Department for services.

The development of short term 24/7/365 walk in crisis intervention and counseling services in combination with emergency receiving capability, temporary observation and crisis stabilization beds.

What does a Behavioral Health Crisis Center look like? 24/7/365 non-hospital emergency services for adults eighteen(18) and older with mental health disorders, substance use disorders, and co-occurring issues. Assessment and triage Evaluation and intervention Crisis Counseling and support Coordination for ongoing care and support Capacity for temporary consumer observation. Capacity for short term stay for stabilization and quicker return to life activities such as family, friends, and community based services.

What does a Behavioral Health Crisis Center look like? A component of a larger system of care which includes: Outpatient Services Peer Support Services Psychosocial Rehabilitation Case Management Intensive Case Management Community Support Teams Mobile Crisis Teams Assertive Community Treatment Teams Short Term Crisis Residential Services Permanent and Supported housing Supported Employment

Provide Communities with accessible crisis options other then law enforcement, hospital emergency departments, in-patient care, state hospitals, incarceration in the county jail. Improve care coordination by connecting consumers with post crisis, mental health and substance abuse follow-up services. Facilitate better navigation of a complex service delivery system with many moving parts.

Better educate communities on how to access services before a crisis erupts. Reduction in the use of hospital emergency departments, county jails, state prisons and forensic mental health admissions and a reduction in cost. Higher degree of satisfaction from consumer and key community constituents such as law enforcement, courts, hospitals and local government entities.

Behavioral Health is essential to health Prevention works Treatment is effective People recover