Call 1-855-581-8111 and ask to have Mobile Crisis Outreach dispatched in Johnson and Iowa Counties.
With Mobile Crisis Outreach, mental health counselors are dispatched to homes, schools, businesses, or public spaces where a mental health crisis is occurring. Response time is within 60 minutes of dispatch.
The goals of Mobile Crisis Outreach are to:
- stabilize the crisis
- assess the need for referrals to other community services
- reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and arrests
- admit the client to a crisis stabilization bed* when necessary
*Crisis stabilization beds provide a one to five day stay for people who are having a mental health crisis but do not need psychiatric hospitalization.
Who can call Mobile Crisis Outreach?
Anyone who is experiencing or is concerned about someone experiencing a mental health crisis can call.
Please call Mobile Crisis Outreach if you or the person in crisis:
- is willing to meet with Mobile Crisis Outreach
- is having suicidal ideations
- is unsure whether psychiatric hospitalization is necessary
- needs crisis de-escalation, emotional support or referral to community resources
Mobile Crisis Outreach is not appropriate:
- when the situation needs immediate response such as a medical emergency or a current threat of violence
- when the person in crisis does not agree to talk with mobile crisis counselors**
**Mobile Crisis Outreach is a voluntary program. The counselors may still come to speak further with the person that made the call, but the person in crisis has the right to refuse to speak with the counselors.
CommUnity mental health counselors respond to dispatches in Johnson and Iowa counties, and counselors with other contracted agencies respond to dispatches in Benton, Bremer, Buchanan, Delaware, Dubuque, Jones, and Linn counties. Other Iowa counties also offer Mobile Crisis Outreach through their mental health and disability services providers. To learn more, visit the Iowa Department of Human Services website.
What can I expect during a visit?
The counselors will talk with you about the situation and help you explore the options available. Our hope is to help people feel safe and stable in the least restrictive environment possible. And for most of our clients, that means staying at home. If higher levels of care are needed and agreed upon, Mobile Crisis counselors will work with you to get you to a place where you can remain safe and stable.
What can I expect after a visit?
A Mobile Crisis Follow-Up Counselor will schedule a follow-up call the next day. Follow-up is intended to reinforce any plans made during the Mobile Crisis contact and help connect clients with community services that can support them long-term.
