The 988 Mobile Crisis Outreach Response Teams (MCORTs) are now operational, the state Department of Human Services announced on April 17.
MCORTs teams are available statewide to people 18 and older who have contacted the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Teams respond to threatening and non-life-threatening mental-health, substance use and suicidal crises without law enforcement or other emergency personnel when it is safe to do so.
The teams coordinate with the state’s 988 Lifeline centers and are dispatched when a 988 crisis counselor assesses that community outreach would be helpful and the person calling 988 is interested in such services for themselves or a loved one, according to a press release through the state Department of Human Services.
“Timely behavioral health supports set our residents up for the best possible long-term outcomes,” Gov. Phil Murphy said. “That is why we have made it a priority to invest in our 988 system of care.”
“The need for mental health, substance use and suicide crisis services remains high,” explained Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman. “People in distress who call, text or chat (with) 988 will tap into a system of care that extends past that initial outreach. This help ensures we meet people where they are and connect them to the most appropriate care to meet their needs.”
MCORTs are part of a greater effort to bolster the state’s crisis response continuum and ensure families in crisis have someone to call, someone to respond to them and somewhere to go when experiencing a mental -health, substance use and/or suicidal crisis.
Since the Human Services department’s soft launch of MCORTs in March, the teams have succeeded in getting people into voluntarily treatment and services. They’re available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and will expand to 24/7 coverage in the near future.
The Human Services department awarded $16 million in state-funded contracts to providers for MCORTs, including Legacy Treatment Services. It serves clients in Camden; Gloucester; and Burlington counties, among others.
New Jersey’s 988 contact centers answered nearly 69,000 calls last year, and more than 144,000 have been answered since July 2022, when 988 launched.
MCORTs are comprised of a two-person team in the field under remote supervision by a third professional. The professionals involved include a trained peer-support specialist and an experienced bachelor’s-level professional. As needed, a master’s-level supervisor provides clinical backup and supervision remotely.
All staff involved in the MCORT program are trained in trauma-informed care, deescalation, harm reduction strategies, safety/risk screening, assessment, stabilization techniques, crisis planning and privacy and confidentiality policies and procedures.
MCORTs provide, when possible, safe and appropriate transport to crisis stabilization and receiving centers, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics or hospital emergency departments. They also connect individuals with providers for follow-up support and ongoing care.
Anyone experiencing mental-health struggles or emotional distress can call or text 988 or chat at 988Lifeline.org/chat, available 24/7.
