KPEP staff recently met with representatives from Integrated Services of Kalamazoo (ISK) to learn more about the agency’s services and referral processes—particularly its 24-hour Mobile Crisis Response team.
ISK, Kalamazoo County’s community mental health agency, provides emergency mental health support for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Through its Mobile Crisis Response team, ISK clinicians can come directly onsite to assess an individual, stabilize the situation, and determine the most appropriate level of care.
This resource is especially valuable for KPEP residents. In the past, individuals experiencing a mental health crisis were often transported by ambulance to a hospital emergency room. While sometimes necessary, an ER visit is not always the most appropriate setting for behavioral health emergencies and can interrupt programming for days or longer.
With ISK’s mobile crisis services, KPEP now has an option to bring trained mental health professionals directly to our facility for evaluation and support. In addition to crisis response, ISK can coordinate ongoing community-based mental health services for residents who need continued care.
This collaboration strengthens KPEP’s ability to respond quickly and appropriately to behavioral health needs while keeping residents engaged in their programs whenever possible.