In May, the private provider for mental health services in Montgomery County resigned, halting their local crisis response services. Despite the proposed contracts for a replacement provider being rejected, the focus has shifted to gathering feedback from Montgomery County residents on what mental health crisis services should look like in the region.
Recently, community events were held in Dayton where residents shared their thoughts on the delivery of crisis mental health services. They provided input on what new services could look like and suggested improvements in service delivery. Tara Campbell, who participated in one of the meetings, emphasized the importance of ensuring that no one is left behind when selecting a new provider.
Sean Mitchell, another participant in a recent public hearing, stressed the need for continuous improvement in the provision of mental health services in the county. He highlighted the importance of transparency and understanding the barriers to expanding services like having a crisis unit where people can stay longer than 23 hours.
The staff at Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) plan to incorporate the community feedback they have received when considering requests for proposals from new providers. In the meantime, individuals in need of mental health support can reach out by calling 988.