‘Just call’: Kings County launches crisis response program

KINGS COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – There is a new way for Kings County residents to get help if they experience a mental health emergency.

The county launched the mobile crisis response program Dec. 31 to help those in a mental health crisis or with a substance use disorder. The crisis response number is (559) 247- HELP (4357).

Right now, the department has three teams of two people working 24/7 to answer calls and conduct in-person visits.

“It’s so important for the family members and our community to know who to call in a crisis,” Kings County Behavioral Health Director Lisa Lewis said.

Kingsview Services Director Lisa Rogers is in charge of the program. She says they will need to continue adding staff to keep up with demand.

“Within the first week, we had 111 calls and we dispatched six times. Of those six dispatch calls, We only had to send two of them to the hospital,” Rogers said.

Until now, when someone experienced a mental health emergency, they either had to go to a crowded emergency room or call the police.

“Cops shouldn’t be responsible for understanding mental health diagnoses and what’s happening. So our ability to go in and take over that scene has been a wonderful partnership,” Rogers said.

Now, trained professionals drive up in unmarked cars and street clothes, ready to help people in the comfort of their own homes. They say they can always have police check the location’s safety before they go in if there is a safety risk.

“We’re able to go in and instead of the cops present escalating the situation, we’re able to take over the call and really de-escalate whatever is happening within the home, which is a huge benefit,” Rogers said.

The program was initially launched with state grants and will be sustained through medical insurance.

State official Christi Lupkes believes it will have a long term impact on the community she grew up in. In fact, she says it has already made a difference in its first 13 days.

“Call if you need help, any help, you just need somebody to talk to. If you need to inquire about where to get good services or you feel like you’re in an emergency, just call,” Lupkes said.