Overview
Mobile Response and Stabilization Service (MRSS), set to launch in January 2023, is a national best practice for children’s Systems of Care. This service is available to all children, youth, young adults and their families experiencing a behavioral health crisis. MRSS aims to:
- Keep children and youth in community and
- Promote care in the least-restrictive environment.
It does this by providing in-person crisis response that connects children, youth, young adults and their families to rapid supports at home and in community. MRSS de-escalates situations, often preventing unnecessary trips to emergency departments.
MRSS addresses the unique needs of children, youth, young adults and their families in crisis. It helps them understand:
- What may lead to a crisis,
- When they are experiencing a crisis,
- When they need support, and
- How to get support at home and in the community.
Starting July 2022, people of all ages can call 988 for crisis support. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) encourages reaching out early, before a crisis begins.
Expanding Oregon's Behavioral Health Crisis Response System
Oregon has been working to establish MRSS for several years. The new 988 mental health crisis line will advance MRSS in Oregon.
- 988 is an alternative to 911. Callers to 988 will talk to mental health professionals (not law enforcement or emergency services).
- Oregon's 988 line will open July 2022 operated by Lines for Life. It will be available to everyone in Oregon.
- This will be followed by the introduction of MRSS services for children, youth, young adults and their families in early 2023.
- OHA is helping community partners prepare MRSS teams for 988 calls. The teams will receive specialized training and best practices for assessment and intervention.
Learn more about Oregon's behavioral health crisis response system and 988.
When someone in a behavioral health crisis calls 988, a local mobile team will provide in-person response. The team will provide services related to:
- Screening and assessment;
- Stabilization and de-escalation; and
- Coordination with and referrals to needed health, social and other services or supports.
MRSS teams include:
- A qualified behavioral health care professional and
- A qualified mental health associate or Peer Support Specialist trained in crisis response.
To provide 24/7 connection for children, youth, young adults and their families, MRSS includes:
- Immediate face-to-face response and
- Up to 8 weeks of stabilization services.
The immediate face-to-face response can last up to 72 hours. This support helps children, youth and their families:
- Get support at home and
- Avoid unnecessary visits to the emergency room.
Stabilization services are available for up to 56 days after the initial crisis. Services may include:
- Mental health therapy,
- Skills training,
- Peer-delivered services, and
- Crisis de-escalation.
The MRSS team also assesses ongoing needs. If needed, the team also links children, youth, young adults and their families to appropriate community resources. MRSS works best in community support systems that cater to the strengths of children, youth, young adults and their families.
Learn more about MRSS best practices.
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