Lane County to launch mobile crisis services Aug. 18
2 min read
from Lane County Behavioral Health, a division of Lane County Health & Human Services
Mobile Crisis Services of Lane County (MCS-LC) will launch Aug. 18, 2024.
The MCS-LC program provides critical behavioral health crisis response, offering timely support, transportation, and connections to essential resources for residents experiencing behavioral health emergencies.
MCS-LC enhances Lane County’s mental health infrastructure by offering crisis intervention services accessible to any resident through 988 or the Lane County Crisis Line at 541-682-1001. Crisis line calls are triaged, and the MCS-LC team is dispatched when appropriate.
“The launch of mobile crisis services marks a crucial step in Lane County by expanding the capacity for much-needed behavioral crisis support, ensuring equitable access no matter where someone in behavioral crisis is in our county,” said Dr. Pauline Gichohi, Lane County Behavioral Health Division manager. “This three-phase program complements existing services by providing equitable, trauma-informed care, and on-site crisis intervention, starting with the pilot phase on August 18, 2024.”
Key Features of MCS-LC:
- Comprehensive Crisis Response: MCS-LC teams offer on-site support, voluntary transportation, and resource connections, collaborating with law enforcement, first responders, and community providers to provide alternatives to emergency rooms and jails.
- Certified Behavioral Health Professionals: Each MCS-LC van is staffed by trained mental health professionals providing de-escalation, stabilization, and follow-up care.
- Follow-Up and Continued Support: The MCS-LC team conducts a follow-up within 72 hours of the initial crisis to ensure ongoing support.
- Equity and Collaboration: MCS-LC is committed to inclusive, equitable, personalized crisis services for all Lane County residents. The program collaborates with existing services to enhance the county’s behavioral health support system.
- Pilot Phase Operating Hours: MCS-LC will operate 8 hours a day, seven days a week, from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. with plans to expand to 24/7 coverage in future phases.
- County-Wide Coverage: Initial dispatch will be from Lane County Behavioral Health in Eugene. Plans are to station vans across the county, prioritizing prompt community response times.
Lane County residents can access MCS-LC by calling or texting 988, dialing the Lane County Crisis Line at 541-682-1001, or, in some cases, by contacting 911. Response Times:
- Metro – 1 hour
- Rural – 2 hours
- Frontier – 3 hours (some McKenzie Bridge areas and the upper northwest corner of Lane County)
This initial county-wide pilot phase will allow the MCS-LC program to refine operations and gather feedback, informing the development of a permanent program and identifying community needs.
Additional information and updates will be available on the MCS-LC website at lanecountyor.gov/mobilecrisis, concurrent with the service launch Aug. 18, 2024.
