A. Mobile Crisis
Response Teams (MCERTs) are operated by LMHAs and/or other service providers
designated by DMH. Mobile Crisis Response Teams provide community-based crisis
services that deliver solution-focused and recovery-oriented mental/behavioral
health assessments and stabilization of self-defined crisis in the location
where the person is experiencing the crisis whenever feasible. Teams consist of
mental health personnel who can provide support to people experiencing a
mental/behavioral health crisis. The teams ensure the person served has a
follow-up appointment with their preferred provider and monitor the person
until the appointment takes place.
Mobile Crisis Response is available to all people in
Mississippi regardless of insurance status, age, residency, or prior service
utilization. Mobile Crisis Response Services must be able to serve mental
health, IDD, and substance use disorder service populations.
MCERTs provide a combination of crisis services, including
emergency care (response immediately or within up to two (2) hours in a rural
setting), urgent care (response within eight (8) hours), and crisis follow-up
to children, adolescents, or adults in the community. This service is available
24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week within the provider's catchment or
service area.
MCERTs must deliver community-based crisis intervention,
screening, assessment, de-escalation and stabilization, safety planning, and
coordination with and referrals to appropriate resources, including health,
social, and other services and supports.
B. Agency providers of MCERTs must also meet
Rules
19.1 -
19.2.
C. Mobile Crisis Response Services must have
the capability to respond to multiple crisis calls at a time.
D. Mobile Crisis Response Services must
include a single toll-free telephone number which covers the agency provider's
entire catchment area or service area for crisis calls.
E. Mental Health Professional(s) on the
MCERTs consist of professionals who can provide support to people experiencing
a mental/behavioral health crisis. MCERTs must:
1. Be able to respond within the timelines
outlined above: immediately or within up to two (2) hours (rural setting) for
emergency care and within eight (8) hours for urgent care.
2. Complete an assessment of the person's
risk and acuity using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale or the Ask
Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ) Toolkit or another DMH-approved assessment
tool. The assessment will include, but not be limited to, current risk level
related to suicide/homicide, substance use, mental status, current and past
mental health diagnoses and treatment, coping skills, and medical
condition.
3. Utilize a team
approach to Mobile Crisis Response to address the crisis. Teams should use
provider-established risk and safety guidance measures and protocols to
determine if and when to engage law enforcement; these measures should be
adequately developed and agreed to by law enforcement.
4. Work to immediately stabilize the person's
crisis using solution-focused and recovery- oriented interventions designed to
avoid unnecessary hospitalization, incarceration, or placement in a more
segregated setting.
5. Assess
current natural supports and make a determination if the person can safely
remain in the community.
6.
Transport or arrange transportation to the most appropriate treatment setting
if the person is determined to be a danger to self or others.
7. Provide for the level of service the
person requires, mitigate the crisis, and if known, support the person's
long-term recovery goals (Example: Crisis Support Plan, Advanced
Directive.)
F. MCERTs
must have immediate access to medical and psychiatric support (licensed
psychiatrist, licensed psychologist, licensed physician's assistant, or
licensed psychiatric nurse practitioner, as per the independent practitioner's
scope of practice) during emergency and urgent responses 24 hours a day, seven
(7) days a week. Medical and psychiatric support can be provided via
telemedicine. If medical and/or psychiatric support is not available by a staff
member of the LMHA, then a written Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) must be in
place between the LMHA and the support provider with an agreement to respond
via telemedicine to MCERT needs around the clock, as outlined above. MCERTs
must have written procedures on how Teams can access medical and psychiatric
support.
G. Mobile Crisis Response
involves two (2) levels of response intensity, as outlined below:
1. Emergency Response: Mental/behavioral
health community services or other necessary interventions directed to address
the immediate needs of a person in crisis to ensure the safety of the person in
crisis and others who may be placed at risk by the person's behaviors,
including, but not limited to, psychiatric evaluations, administration of
medications, hospitalization, stabilization, or resolution of the crisis. The
response must occur immediately following the initial service contact
(immediately or within up to two (2) hours in a rural setting, as defined in
the glossary).
2. Urgent Response:
Mental/behavioral health community services or other necessary interventions
provided to people in crisis who do not need emergency care services but who
are potentially at risk of serious deterioration; services provided may
include, but are not limited to, the services outlined in one (1) above. The
response (both urban and rural) must occur within eight (8) hours of the
initial service contact.
