By Sarah Nelson, CommUnity CEO

Originally published as a guest column in The Gazette

At CommUnity Crisis Services, we believe public safety lies in collaboration.

Every day, Johnson County law enforcement officers, EMS personnel, firefighters, healthcare workers, and crisis responders step into difficult situations to keep our community safe. They answer calls on people’s hardest days and carry an enormous responsibility for the well-being of our community.

As behavioral health needs continue to grow for both youth and adults, we have an opportunity to build one of the strongest public safety systems in the country.

Mental health crises require specialized de-escalation, rapport-building, connection to treatment, and follow-up support from credentialed behavioral health professionals. That is why we envision Mobile Crisis becoming the fourth arm of emergency response, working side by side with law enforcement, EMS, and fire departments when behavioral health expertise can help stabilize a situation and connect someone to care.

This model is not about replacing first responders. It is about strengthening the system we are all a part of by ensuring people receive the optimal first responder in each situation. Johnson County has already shown what is possible when organizations come together around a shared goal. The GuideLink Center and post-arrest diversion efforts have created stronger pathways to care and meaningful progress for our community.

Now we have an opportunity to build on that momentum. Despite operating in Johnson County for more than 10 years, many people still do not realize that Mobile Crisis services exist and are available at no cost through state funding. Our teams respond anywhere in the county, in both urban and rural communities, with or without law enforcement, when individuals or families experience suicidal ideation, mental health crises, grief, family conflict, or youth-related challenges. We do not define what qualifies as a crisis. If someone is struggling and asks for help, we show up 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

For the past 10 years, our crisis response teams have safely supported community members without injuries or fatalities during our interventions. That safety record reflects the power of trained de-escalation, compassionate care, and the right response at the right time.

No single agency can meet every single challenge facing our community alone. But when law enforcement, EMS, fire departments, schools, healthcare providers, nonprofits, and behavioral health professionals work together, our community becomes safer, healthier, and stronger for everyone. By working together and aligning our resources, expertise, and roles, we can make the most of every investment while meeting this moment for all of our residents.

That is the future our community deserves. And together, it is a future we can build.