Mobile Crisis Outreach Team

When Facing Crisis,
Our Team Is Here For You

StarCare’s highly trained and dedicated Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT) provides intervention and assessment for appropriate interventions and resolutions 24/7 to people suffering from a mental health crisis.

Like any other health crisis, it’s important to address a mental health emergency quickly and effectively. With mental health conditions, crises can be difficult to predict because, often, there are no warning signs. Mental health crises can occur even when treatment plans have been followed and mental health professionals are involved. Unfortunately, unpredictability is the nature of mental illness.

Warning Signs of a Mental Health Crisis:^[1]

• Inability to perform daily tasks: bathing, brushing teeth, brushing hair, changing clothes
• Rapid mood swings, increased energy level, inability to stay still, pacing: suddenly depressed, withdrawn; suddenly happy or calm after a period of depression
• Increased agitation: verbal threats, violent, out-of-control behavior, destroys property
• Abusive behavior to self and others, including substance use or self-harm (such as cutting)
• Isolation from school, work, family, friends
• Loses touch with reality (psychosis): unable to recognize family or friends, confused, strange ideas, thinks they’re someone they’re not, doesn’t understand what people are saying, hears voices, sees things that aren’t there
• Paranoia: suspicion and mistrust of people or their actions without evidence or justification

Mental Health Crisis De-escalation Strategies

• Speak in a calm voice
• Avoid telling the person to calm down
• Express support
• Offer options
• Do not touch the person without permission
• Suggest the person go for a walk or go to their safe place

Never be afraid to ask someone if they need help or what thoughts they are having.

The worst thing you can do is do nothing.