The crisis mental health services in Montgomery County have been discontinued by the Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board as they rejected two proposed contracts to keep services running with new providers during a meeting on Wednesday night. Over the past two years, Montgomery County had implemented a crisis mental health care system consisting of a hotline, a mobile crisis unit, and a crisis center that offered up to 23 hours of stabilizing care. However, the nonprofit RI International had been operating these services and unexpectedly announced it would stop operating in the county effective May 22.
The ADAMHS staff recommended that Netcare from Columbus should run the local crisis call center and DeCoach from Dayton should handle mobile crisis response services. However, the ADAMHS Board members voted 4 to 3 against this plan, with two board members choosing to abstain. Some trustees and residents felt that the decision to hire new providers was made too quickly and should have been more collaborative, while others stressed the urgent need for crisis services.
Michelle Campbell, who has used the hotline for her son in the past, expressed concern about the current situation and the uncertain future of services. The ADAMHS staff mentioned that they will put out requests for proposals for new providers in the meantime. In case of emergency assistance, individuals can contact various resources such as the National Mental Health Crisis Hotline at 988 or connect to resources at mc.localhelpnow.org or text “4Hope” to 741741 for National Crisis Text Line or call 937-528-7777 for Miami Valley Warmline for mental and behavioral health peer-support services.
The sudden termination of RI International’s contract has left many residents feeling worried about their access to critical mental health services. The decision by the board not to hire Netcare and DeCoach as replacement providers has sparked controversy among trustees and residents alike.
While some argue that hiring new providers too quickly is not a prudent approach given the importance of mental health care in Montgomery County, others feel that urgent action is needed to restore these vital services as soon as possible.
As Michelle Campbell put it: “It’s crucial that we have access to reliable mental health care when we need it most.” With this sentiment echoing across Montgomery County communities, efforts are underway to find new providers who can step up and provide much-needed support in this time of uncertainty.
In conclusion, while there may be disagreements over how best to address this crisis situation, one thing remains clear: access to quality mental health care is essential for individuals facing challenges such as depression, anxiety or substance abuse disorder.
With no immediate solution in sight yet, those seeking assistance must rely on existing resources such as national helplines or peer support groups until new contracts are awarded later on.
The situation highlights an ongoing challenge faced by many counties across America: finding sustainable solutions for providing necessary mental health care without breaking budget constraints or compromising quality standards.
