988 Mobile Crisis Outreach Response Teams (MCORT)
988 Mobile Crisis Outreach Response Teams (MCORT)
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline connects you with trained crisis counselors for immediate help with mental health crises, emotional distress, or substance-related issues. Suicide is a leading cause of death among individuals aged 10-34 years, emphasizing the critical need for the 988 Lifeline. Support is available 24/7 by call, text, or chat. This article will explain what the 988 Lifeline offers and how Mobile Crisis Outreach Response Teams are a part of the 988 crisis continuum.
Key Takeaways
- The 988 Lifeline is a 24/7 national suicide prevention hotline offering free and confidential support for individuals in emotional distress or experiencing a suicidal crisis. Suicide is a leading cause of death among individuals aged 10-34 years, highlighting the urgency and importance of the 988 Lifeline.
- CarePlus New Jersey will soon play a critical role in the 988 services through its Mobile Crisis Outreach Response Teams, providing immediate support and intervention in Bergen and Passaic Counties when deployed by the 988 Crisis Lifeline call centers.
- The 988 Lifeline ensures accessibility by offering multiple communication methods, including crisis support for veterans, Spanish speakers, and LGBTQI+ youth and services for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals.
Understanding 988 Lifeline
Officially designated as the National Suicide Hotline on October 17, 2020, the 988 Lifeline is the national three-digit number designed to provide free and confidential support for individuals in emotional distress or experiencing a suicidal or substance-related crisis. It offers immediate assistance through various communication methods, including calling, texting, or chatting.
Dialing 988 connects individuals with trained crisis counselors who listen, understand, and offer necessary support during a crisis. The lifeline stands as a testament to the collective effort that addresses mental health and substance-related emergencies with compassion and urgency.
CarePlus New Jersey's: 988 Mobile Crisis Outreach Response Teams
Mobile Crisis Outreach Response Teams (MCORT) are available to respond to non-life-threatening mental health, substance-related, or suicidal crises in the community. 988 crisis counselors can make referrals to MCORT after assessing the individual in crisis. This statewide program operates 24/7, every day of the year. MCORT teams specialize in de-escalating crises and stabilizing individuals in their community, followed by referrals to appropriate local services. Whenever possible, MCORT will be dispatched without law enforcement, ensuring a calm, supportive response when it’s deemed safe.
CarePlus New Jersey plays a pivotal role in the 988 services, particularly through its Mobile Crisis Outreach Response Teams. These teams are designed to respond to mental health emergencies in the community, providing immediate support and intervention. The Bergen County Psychiatric Emergency Screening Program (262-HELP/PESP) has been providing 24/7 emergency mental health services for over 30 years to those who are at imminent risk of harm and may be reluctant to seek out or engage in appropriate treatment. MCORT will provide another level of response for those voluntarily for outreach services and not in immediate risk of harm to themself or someone else.
CarePlus New Jersey’s collaboration with the 988 suicide crisis lifeline provides immediate crisis intervention for individuals in Bergen and Passaic Counties through the 988 Mobile Crisis Outreach Response Teams. This partnership is vital in providing timely and effective support to those in need.
CarePlus NJ’s Mobile Crisis Outreach teams primarily serve Bergen County and Passaic County, providing free support throughout these regions. By focusing on these areas, CarePlus ensures that residents in these counties have access to immediate crisis intervention services. These teams address non-life-threatening situations, offering timely support to those in need.
The targeted coverage areas allow the Mobile Crisis Outreach Response Teams to be highly effective in delivering localized support, ensuring that individuals in Bergen and Passaic Counties receive the help they need when they need it most. This focused approach helps mitigate the risk of crises escalating into more severe situations.
The expertise of these teams is essential to their effectiveness. Composed of trained professionals proficient in crisis intervention techniques, these teams are well-equipped to handle a variety of crisis situations. Their training includes crisis de-escalation and stabilization techniques, ensuring that they can effectively manage and resolve crises in the community.
CarePlus NJ brings over 45 years of crisis response experience and expertise to the table. The Mobile Crisis Outreach Response Teams specialize in de-escalating crises and stabilizing individuals, followed by referrals to appropriate local services. This blend of experience and specialized training ensures the teams provide immediate and comprehensive crisis support.
CarePlus New Jersey received a significant grant to lead the Mobile Crisis Outreach Response Teams in Bergen and Passaic counties. This grant aims to establish a system of Mobile Crisis Outreach Response Teams to provide timely crisis intervention services to adults in non-life-threatening situations who contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The funding supports the development of a robust crisis intervention framework that ensures timely support is available to those in need.
The grant highlights the importance of diversity, inclusion, and cultural and linguistic competence in their services. Embedding these principles in their approach allows CarePlus New Jersey to provide effective and sensitive support to the community’s diverse needs.
Mobile Crisis Outreach Response Teams
Mobile Crisis Outreach Response Teams play a vital role in the 988 services, offering 24/7 support for mental health crises. These teams are designed to provide immediate mental health assistance through direct, face-to-face engagement with individuals in crisis and their support systems. Operating every day of the year, the teams ensure that help is always available when it is needed the most.
The teams’ ability to respond without law enforcement, when possible, ensures a calm and supportive intervention.
This two-person team approach, which includes, a crisis worker and a peer specialist helps create a more reassuring environment for individuals in crisis and facilitates effective intervention. The teams aim to de-escalate crises and stabilize individuals, preventing unnecessary hospitalizations or law enforcement involvement through timely intervention.
988 Support for All
The 988 Lifeline prioritizes making mental health support reachable for underserved communities through various specialized support options. These options include dedicated services for veterans, Spanish-speaking individuals, and LGBTQI+ youth, ensuring that individuals from all backgrounds can access the help they need. The lifeline guarantees 24/7 access to support through various communication methods tailored for accessibility.
Specialized support from the 988 Lifeline ensures everyone can receive the help needed to navigate their crisis regardless of background or specific needs. This inclusive approach is essential for providing comprehensive and effective crisis support.
Summary
The 988 Lifeline and CarePlus New Jersey’s Mobile Crisis Outreach Response Teams represent a significant advancement in mental health and substance-related crisis intervention. By offering immediate, free, and confidential support to individuals in distress, these services play a crucial role in preventing crises from escalating into more severe situations. The specialized support options for veterans, Spanish-speaking individuals, and LGBTQI+ youth highlight the lifeline’s commitment to inclusivity and comprehensive care.
As we conclude, it’s essential to recognize the profound impact these services have on individuals and communities. The 988 Lifeline and Mobile Crisis Outreach Response Teams provide a lifeline to those in need, fostering hope and resilience in the face of crisis. Share this information with loved ones, as you never know who might need it.
If you or a loved one needs help – call 988 suicide crisis lifeline
For more information on our program call us today or email us – info988mcort@careplusnj.org
Frequently Asked Questions
The 988 Lifeline offers free and confidential support for those in emotional distress or facing a suicidal crisis, accessible via call, text, or chat. This service ensures immediate assistance to individuals in need.
Mobile Crisis Outreach Response Teams operate by providing immediate on-site assistance for non-life-threatening mental health and substance use crises. Their primary goal is to de-escalate situations and stabilize individuals within the community, thereby preventing unnecessary hospitalizations or law enforcement involvement.
The 988 Lifeline provides specialized support options for veterans, Spanish-speaking individuals, and LGBTQI+ youth, allowing veterans to reach the Veterans Crisis Line by pressing ‘1’, Spanish speakers to press ‘2’ or text AYUDA, and LGBTQI+ youth to press ‘3’ or text PRIDE. These options ensure tailored assistance for diverse needs.
Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can access the 988 Lifeline through a dedicated videophone service, which offers ASL support and is available 24/7 via the ‘ASL Now’ button on their website. This ensures they receive essential assistance whenever needed.
CarePlus New Jersey’s Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams serve primarily Bergen and Passaic Counties, offering essential support to individuals in these areas.
Yes. Veterans can access specialized support by calling 988 and pressing ‘1’ to connect with the Veterans Crisis Line. This dedicated service provides immediate assistance tailored to the unique needs of veterans and service members. Pressing ‘1’ allows veterans to quickly reach counselors specifically trained to address their unique challenges.
The Veterans Crisis Line provides veterans and service members with the necessary support to navigate their crisis. This specialized service is a component of the 988 Lifeline, providing targeted support to those who have served our country.
Yes. For Spanish-speaking individuals, the 988 Lifeline offers dedicated support services. Calling 988 and pressing ‘2’, or texting AYUDA to 988, provides immediate assistance in Spanish. This ensures that Spanish-speaking individuals receive the support they need in their preferred language.
The availability of Spanish-language support highlights the lifeline’s commitment to accommodating diverse communities. Offering services in multiple languages ensures everyone can provide support, regardless of language preference.
Yes. LGBTQI+ youth can engage with trained crisis counselors by pressing ‘3’ when calling 988 for specific support. This option connects them directly to counselors who are trained to provide affirming support tailored to the unique experiences of LGBTQI+ youth. The 988 Lifeline provides LGBTQI+ youth with the understanding and assistance they need.
In addition to calling, LGBTQI+ youth can also text ‘PRIDE’ to 988 for immediate support. This service is available 24/7, ensuring that young individuals in the LGBTQI+ community have continuous access to help whenever they need it. The specialized support for LGBTQI+ youth is a vital aspect of the 988 Lifeline’s commitment to inclusivity and comprehensive care.
Yes. Making the 988 Lifeline accessible to everyone is a top priority. The lifeline provides multiple communication options to accommodate different needs and preferences. For instance, individuals can text 988, enhancing accessibility for those who may not be comfortable making a phone call. 24/7 availability ensures help is always accessible, regardless of time or day.
Moreover, the 988 Lifeline offers specific support for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals. This includes services such as the 988 ASL Videophone, online chat, and texting. Operating Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, the videophone helpline connects Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals to trained counselors via American Sign Language (ASL), ensuring they receive the support they need.
Yes. The 988 Lifeline offers dedicated ASL support to ensure that Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can access crisis intervention services. Using the ‘ASL Now’ button on the 988 website, users can easily connect with trained counselors via video calls, allowing for direct communication in their primary language. This service is available 24/7, providing continuous emotional support in ASL.
The ASL Videophone service provides Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals with the same level of care and support as hearing individuals. Offering ASL support underscores the 988 Lifeline’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility for all individuals in crisis.
Yes. To accommodate diverse cultural communities, the 988 Lifeline provides services in multiple languages. Utilizing Language Line Solutions, the lifeline offers translation services in over 240 languages, ensuring that individuals from various linguistic backgrounds can access the help they need. This commitment to multilingual support enhances the lifeline’s ability to reach and assist a broader audience.
The availability of multilingual services underscores the 988 Lifeline’s dedication to inclusivity and cultural competence. Ensuring support in numerous languages allows the lifeline to effectively provide crisis intervention services to diverse communities, fostering a more inclusive approach to mental health care.
262-HELP, a program of CarePlus NJ, serves as Bergen County’s Designated Psychiatric Emergency Screening Program, offering vital emergency mental health services to residents 24/7, year-round. The program features trained and certified mental health screeners who conduct evaluations and provide crisis intervention, alongside psychiatrists offering emergent, short term medication services. This service is designed to address the needs for those experiencing a more acute crisis, however they are not voluntary for treatment.
While there is a fee for evaluations, it is often covered by health insurance, and no one will be denied services due to an inability to pay.
