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Hancock Health Leading Hancock County Mobile Response Team as of June 24

June 27, 2024

Local healthcare professionals working alongside police, fire, and paramedics to support individuals needing substance treatment and mental health care

In an effort to maintain the overall health and well-being of Hancock County residents, Hancock Health’s Behavioral Health Service Line has started leading the Hancock County Mobile Response Team alongside their partners in emergency services as of June 24. The team, located out of the Hancock Health Connection Center, primarily assists individuals with active substance misuse and mental health issues, supporting them through a phone bank or with on-scene treatment, as needed. This program previously was overseen by Community Health Network.

“We’re ready to help anyone looking for support because our main goal as healthcare professionals is to keep individuals safe and healthy throughout their lives and at critical moments of need,” said Amanda Everidge, executive director of the Hancock Health Behavioral Health Service Line. “It’s our honor to be the local healthcare partner to provide these critical services to our residents.”

If someone is experiencing a substance misuse or mental health issue, they or a loved one can call the phone bank to seek help. Alternatively, community partners may reach out on someone’s behalf or emergency responders may dispatch an MRT staff member to visit the individual on site once the scene is secure, to ensure everyone’s safety.

Staff will provide brief intervention support and connect individuals to the appropriate resources to ensure a continuum of care. The Hancock County Mobile Response Team will be available Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Individuals may call 317-468-4742 for assistance. The team currently consists of two peer recovery specialists and a support navigator, with plans to grow the team to meet the needs of the community.

“I believe the Mobile Response Team is a vital resource for our community, and Hancock Health is key to its success. By working together, we ensure that individuals in mental health or substance abuse crises receive the immediate, specialized care they need from trained professionals,” said Hancock County Sheriff Brad Burkhart. “This collaboration not only provides crucial support for those in need but also allows law enforcement to focus on their primary duties, knowing that those in need are receiving the specialized care they deserve. Together, we are building a safer and healthier Hancock County.”

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a national study showed that 85% of people who were helped by an MRT member received an intervention rather than being hospitalized. Another study found that 44% of the sample size were connected with community-based mental health services within 30 days of being helped by an MRT member.

“There’s also evidence that this type of program can contribute to de-escalation in an emergency situation, reduce arrests and recidivism, and increase the utilization of community resources,” said Everidge. “Other cities that have deployed similar teams have also seen some of the burden being taken off of emergency departments and their healthcare systems overall because people are getting connected sooner to the resources they require.”

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide and seeking emotional support, please call the National Suicide Prevention Line at 988 for immediate support.

About Hancock Health

Hancock Health is an independent, full-service healthcare network serving East Central Indiana. A proud member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, Hancock Health has been nationally recognized for outstanding clinical outcomes by The Leapfrog Group and the Lown Institute. The network includes Hancock Regional Hospital; Hancock Physician Network; and more than 20 other facilities, such as wellness centers, women’s clinics, family practices, the Sue Ann Wortman Cancer Center, and Gateway Hancock Health. In addition to our membership in the Mayo Clinic Care Network, we offer enhanced patient care through our relationships with Suburban Health Organization, Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, Community Health Network through our Hancock Surgery Center, and the Ascension St. Vincent Heart Center.

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