WFYI News reports Indiana is directing $5 million to mobile crisis response units in five counties as alternatives to EMS or 911 during crises.
Indiana expands mobile crisis response funding
WFYI News reports that Indiana is putting $5 million toward expanding mobile crisis response units in five counties: St. Joseph, Lake, Porter, Allen and Vanderburgh. According to WFYI News, the state selected nonprofits focused on mental health and HIV prevention efforts in those counties to receive the funding.
WFYI News says the teams are intended to help residents experiencing mental health or substance use crises and to offer an alternative to calling EMS or 911. The report describes mobile crisis response as part of a state effort to increase access to mental health crisis support across Indiana.
Counties were selected based on need
According to WFYI News, officials selected the five counties using data indicating high rates of behavioral health crises and limited mobile response infrastructure. The report says the review considered depression and suicide rates, episodes of psychosis in communities, and overdose indicators.
WFYI News reports that the funding is meant to support community members during crises while reducing calls to police and visits to emergency rooms. The report notes that communities have called for mental health interventions that do not involve police, particularly when there is no threat of violence.
Services may differ by county
WFYI News reports that the crisis response teams will mostly be reached by calling 988 for assistance. In Allen and Lake counties, the funding will support 24-hour, seven-day-a-week crisis response teams, according to the report.
The Allen County team will focus on mental health care, while the Lake County team will focus on responding to drug overdoses, WFYI News reports. Other funded teams will provide crisis response and de-escalation that leads to wraparound services, including housing, according to WFYI News.
What this means for Indiana patients
For people seeking treatment locally, these new crisis-response resources may add support in five counties while the directory lists 68 published clinics in Indiana. This is general information, not medical advice.
More Indiana reporting on access & coverage.
This report is educational and is not medical advice. Coverage, availability and eligibility can change; verify details with the named source or your care team.