New Mobile Crisis Unit Offers Mental Health Services
Range Mental Health Centers
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Every year one in five adults in the United States will experience some type of mental illness, that’s according to the National Alliance on Mental Health.
Experts tell Fox21 it’s even tougher for people in rural areas like the range to seek help that isn’t always close to home.
Now, with a phone call people can be connected to a crisis unit in Eveleth.
The unit will provide them a short-term service, usually in person, to help them cope with their crisis and find resources for long-term solution.
Law enforcement agencies, individuals and medical facilities contact the crisis unit – they work together to reach people in crisis before their behavior could land them behind bars.
“Mainly from hospitals, emergency rooms ask us to come out and do assessments for individuals who are experiencing some sort of mental health crisis,” said Wellstone Center’s Mobile Crisis Unit Member Duane Dale.
Dale is a mental health practitioner in Eveleth.
“We all try to work as a team and figure out where this person needs to go and sometimes it is that they need to go to jail, but for the most part they go to the hospitals,” said Dale.
Another option for those in need is to check oneself in to the Wellstone Center.
The facility has eight beds and clients can stay up to ten days.
“We like to help people get back to baseline or normal functioning by the time they leave,” said Wellstone Center’s Clinical Director Janis Allen.
In the last year the center has served more than 400 people in crisis through medication, group therapy and other outlets.
Currently, the Wellstone Center can only serve adults.
Dale tells Fox21 the greatest need is for children’s mental health services.
They’re hopeful within the next few years they will be able to receive backing and potential funding from the state legislature to expand their services to youth.
For more information: http://rangementalhealth.org/index.php?page=locations&link=yes
