East SFV Today

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY – On Saturday, May 13, Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) spoke at Sycamores’ launch of their mobile crisis response program. The mobile crisis outreach team program is a partnership between Sycamores, the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Sycamores mobile crisis outreach teams serve residents in metro and south Los Angeles, and the San Fernando, San Gabriel and Antelope Valleys.

“We all know someone who struggles with their mental health. Nearly 1 in 25 adults in America live with a serious mental illness. And yet, in the United States we do not treat mental health as seriously as we do physical health,” said Congressman Cárdenas. “We must do more to meet the moment and provide the level of help and care that is needed when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis. As many of you know, 988 is a 3-digit emergency line for mental health-related distress or emergencies that went live, nationwide, last July. 988 is more than just a number: It is a lifeline connecting those in crisis with someone to call, someone to come, and somewhere to go…So, I am proud to stand here with other leaders who are dedicated to investing in mental health services at the local level: Mayor Karen Bass and County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath. We need to work on all levels of government, to get people the help they need. Thank you for joining me in the fight to make sure that there will always be someone to call, someone to come, and somewhere to go for compassionate care.”

“Each Mobile Crisis Outreach Team visit is confidential and compassionate. There are no uniforms or branded vehicles. The professionals responding to these calls will do whatever they can to reach the best safety outcome for the person in need,” said Debbie Manners, President & CEO at Sycamores. “Anyone struggling with a mental health crisis should be treated with dignity and respect. We have seen time and time again the benefit our mobile response teams can have. This program is truly saving lives.”

“Law enforcement officers and mental health specialists play vital roles in our community’s crisis intervention and response system,” said Jana Lord, Ph.D., Chief Program Officer at Sycamores. “For many individuals in crisis, for instance, being taken into custody or placed in an involuntary hold are not ideal solutions. Talking with professionals that understand the challenges and the obstacles can make all the difference. It could be a simple conversation that changes that individual’s path for the better. And the services Sycamores is providing through MCOT are building trust in the community.”

Congressman Cárdenas is leading the effort in Congress to fortify the 988 lifeline. During the 117thCongress, Congressman Cárdenas introduced the bipartisan 988 Implementation Act, which would provide federal funding and guidance for states to implement their 988 crisis response infrastructure to ensure that when a person experiences a crisis, there is someone to call, someone to come and somewhere to go.

https://cardenas.house.gov/imo/media/image/041464E5-7C3B-465A-BAB3-48C2A51431A9.JPEG

Original source can be found here.