FORT SMITH, Ark. — Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas Department of Human Services announced Tuesday that they plan to invest $30 million to improve mental health and substance use services across the state through a statewide coordinated crisis response system. announced.
The statewide crisis response system will include a 24-hour call center to ensure emergency responders can provide needed assistance to individuals in crisis. It also includes the creation of a mobile crisis response team and new training in telemedicine and patient assessment for paramedics, police and other first responders.
“The mental health and substance abuse crises in this country are multilayered. If we are going to address them, our efforts will need to be multi-layered,” Governor Sanders said. “I am proud to announce Arkansas’ plan to address these issues head-on, including a coordinated, statewide crisis response system. This will fill the gaps in our current efforts and help struggling Arkansans. It helps ensure people get the help they need.”
“The availability of resources to support Arkansans struggling with substance use disorder and mental illness is critical, especially during times of crisis,” said Kristi Putnam, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Human Services. “This plan invests in areas that will help prevent situations from escalating to crisis levels, as well as building more continuity of care in areas that currently lack support.
“We are grateful that Governor Sanders and the Legislature have prioritized this need, and we look forward to engaging our community partners and stakeholders as we deploy these funds,” Putnam added.
Local crisis response teams said this could impact their ability to serve more people. The Fort Smith Crisis Intervention Unit is the state's first program dedicated to mental health.
“A lot of times people think a crime is being committed because someone is under the influence of drugs or something. But a lot of times it's just that they have some kind of mental problem. ,” Intervention Unit Crisis Officer Michael Schuh said.
“We look at every report that our officers on the street have received in the last 24 hours. We're looking into it,” Crisis Officer Cheri Taylor said. the intervention unit said. “We're trying to get people involved in services, whether it's therapy or rehabilitation or anything like that. Just reaching out and making sure that we're here and helping them. Just let them know there are services available.”
Since 2020, the unit has responded to approximately 2,000 calls and made approximately 800 voluntary referrals to get needed assistance.
“It doesn't cost a dime. It's already funded. You have 72 hours to talk to a therapist and you leave with medication if you need it,” Taylor said. “Everyone wants everyone to be better. Everyone cares about the residents of Fort Smith, and we are so grateful to be able to work with such a great group of organizations. ”
The Guidance Center operates the Crisis Stabilization Unit for Sebastian County. It is one of four locations in the state that provides 24/7, immediate care for people facing a mental health or substance use disorder crisis.
“Mental health does not select a particular socio-economic level, meaning everyone is affected by behavioral health issues, which is why being able to respond, especially in a crisis, is so important.” said Rusty Howick, CEO of Guidance. said the center.
Horwich said the funding could have an impact on her organization and its modernization efforts. Because they may perceive call centers and receiving centers as necessary resources.
“It's rare that we find funding to actually support some of our infrastructure needs, so this idea of modernizing our emergency management system and being able to secure funding for infrastructure is really, really important. It will be available to providers,” Horwich said. “We are extremely grateful to the governors of this legislative body for recognizing the behavioral health needs of Arkansas. We are very excited about the opportunity and look forward to working with the governors on ideas.” I would like to continue doing so.”
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