It will be taking over from Sheppard Pratt.
Frederick, Md (KM) The Mental Health Association of Frederick County will become the operator the Mobile Crisis Unit. Interim CEO Suzi Borg says it was operated by Sheppard Pratt, but it announced earlier this year that it will pull out of the program, citing increasing costs. MHA is expected to formally take over the Mobile Crisis Unit sometime in 2026.
“The County put that out for another provider to bid on,” she said. “And the Mental Health Association was very excited because this is really part of the full crisis continuum of services in the county.”
Borg says the Mobile Crisis Unit complement the other services provided by the Mental Health Association. “We have had these 24/7 call centers for someone to call. Piece of that crisis continuum with our walk-in crisis center; we’ve had some place to go. And now we the other part which is the someone to respond,” says Borg.
The Mobile Crisis Unit sends highly trained professionals out to the scene to help calm tense situations, and connect people with services. Borg says the Unit has worked with local law enforcement. “This is a very well developed relationship with our law enforcement and first responder community; and that will continue with MHA just as it has with Sheppard Pratt. We are excited to continue that work,” she says.
She says the individuals who are part of the Mobile Crisis Unit have been highly trained to deal with tense situations. “They’re well trained. There’s good oversight, but not necessarily at that psychiatrist or psychologist level,,” says Borg.
While trying to calm down tense situations, sometimes it means Mobile Crisis Unit personnel dealing with individuals who want to take their lives. “A lot of time it is somebody who might be having thoughts of suicide; who might need somebody in that moment to come along side them; to help them get connected; planning for their safety; what is it that we need to prevent that suicide. That is a big piece of what this is,” she says.
In some instances, Borg says, the person contemplating taking their own lives is crying for help.
For anyone needing help, call 211 or 866-411-6803 which is for information, referral and crisis intervention. The numbers cover all of Frederick County and western Maryland. The Walk-In Clinic is located at 340 Montevue Lane in Frederick.
By Kevin McManus