The Guidance Center is partnering with Southgate and Riverview Police Departments to provide 24-hour screening and crisis intervention services to adults who experience a mental health crisis. The purpose of the Mental Health Rapid Response program is to facilitate a timely, coordinated and consistent response from law enforcement and behavioral health professionals. The goals of the program are to safely and effectively de-escalate mental health crisis situations, to reduce unnecessary psychiatric hospitalizations, emergency department visits, arrests and police detentions, and to facilitate timely access to treatment and recovery support services.
 
The Guidance Center trained a dedicated team of crisis therapists to work with local police. Pre-programmed iPads and data plans were purchased and deployed to crisis therapists and patrol officers. When a patrol officer responds to a mental health crisis call, they use the iPads to establish face-to-face contact between the individual in crisis and a trained therapist. The therapist conducts a brief screening and provides crisis intervention services remotely via the iPad. Following the intervention, the therapist consults with the patrol officer and the individual in crisis to determine their immediate needs and next steps. Based on the individual’s needs and preferences, the therapist arranges a next-day or next available aftercare appointment with The Guidance Center or another mental health provider, and continues to provide transitional support and community outreach for up to two weeks to ensure that the individual receives the services they need. If the individual presents an immediate risk to themselves or others or is unable to care for their basic needs, the therapist will work with the patrol officer to facilitate a petition and transport for inpatient psychiatric care or emergency medical care. The Mental Health Rapid Response program is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
 
The Mental Health Rapid Response program is made possible by financial support from the Flinn Foundation, the Michigan CCBHC Demonstration Pilot and the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network.