A mobile health crisis team is now available 24/7 in the Santa Cruz and Watsonville areas, providing immediate assistance to individuals facing mental health crises."A team will be able to come out to them and talk to them and try to understand what's going on, potentially try to deescalate the situation and determine whether there is a need for further service," said Karen Kern, who oversees the mobile unit in Santa Cruz County.Kern noted that the team has been busy since the initiative began in December 2023."Some people might need to go for further evaluation, they might be a danger to themselves or others, and so we'd want to have them go to our CSP, crisis stabilization program, to get further assessed and try to figure out what we may be able to do to help them," said Kern. Mental health specialist Livier Chavez highlighted the unpredictable nature of their work."It is kind of an 'expect the unexpected' type of situation where you kind of go in not knowing how your client is feeling, what symptoms they are presenting, and that's why you want to go in with an open schedule and open mind," Chavez said.Chavez also mentioned the increased need for support during the holidays."A lot of clients do need extra support around the holidays and just linking them to the services like the vet's hall where they give out a nice warm meal during the holidays and just that social interaction," Chavez said.For anyone struggling with a mental health crisis or if a loved one is struggling, a link to the crisis line is available at santacruzhealth.org/CrisisResponse or call 1-800-952-2335.See more coverage of top Central Coast stories here | Download our app | Download Very Local
A mobile health crisis team is now available 24/7 in the Santa Cruz and Watsonville areas, providing immediate assistance to individuals facing mental health crises.
"A team will be able to come out to them and talk to them and try to understand what's going on, potentially try to deescalate the situation and determine whether there is a need for further service," said Karen Kern, who oversees the mobile unit in Santa Cruz County.
Kern noted that the team has been busy since the initiative began in December 2023.
"Some people might need to go for further evaluation, they might be a danger to themselves or others, and so we'd want to have them go to our CSP, crisis stabilization program, to get further assessed and try to figure out what we may be able to do to help them," said Kern.
Mental health specialist Livier Chavez highlighted the unpredictable nature of their work.
"It is kind of an 'expect the unexpected' type of situation where you kind of go in not knowing how your client is feeling, what symptoms they are presenting, and that's why you want to go in with an open schedule and open mind," Chavez said.
Chavez also mentioned the increased need for support during the holidays.
"A lot of clients do need extra support around the holidays and just linking them to the services like the vet's hall where they give out a nice warm meal during the holidays and just that social interaction," Chavez said.
For anyone struggling with a mental health crisis or if a loved one is struggling, a link to the crisis line is available at santacruzhealth.org/CrisisResponse or call 1-800-952-2335.