New mobile crisis teams have been deployed throughout King County , offering expanded access to immediate mental health care and alleviating the burden off other agencies that may be less equipped to handle a mental health crisis.
The county added 10 teams on December 2 to support adults experiencing a mental health emergency. While the county previously had mobile crisis teams, this milestone marks a major expansion, made possible by funding approved by voters last year.
The teams are operated by the Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) and SOUND Behavioral Health . DESC operates the teams in Seattle and Vashon, while SOUND provides services in North, East and South King County.
The two-person teams will deploy to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, and will also provide resources and connections to services to help mitigate future crises too.
KIRO 7 received an exclusive first look inside SOUND’s new vans, equipped like a mobile mental health clinic with desks, technology, first aid supplies, food, water and more.