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Family Mobile Crisis Helpline

Help is only a call, text or chat away.

Contact the Family Mobile Crisis Helpline at 1-833-441-2240 now for help with a mental health crisis for any Kansan 20 years of age and younger. A licensed clinician is available by phone no matter the time, day or night. Local support from statewide mobile crisis providers is ready to respond in person.

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The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF), Carelon Behavioral Health and the statewide network of crisis providers have joined forces to operate a continuum of crisis intervention services for children and families in crisis.
The Family Mobile Crisis Helpline team coordinates services with the statewide provider network who deliver mobile crisis response through the Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) model, a rapid, community based, in-person team.

Support Available

By connecting families quickly to supports and services, the Family Mobile Crisis Helpline de-escalates crises and prevents the need for more restrictive interventions. The continuum of services is prepared and ready to help by offering one or more of the following:

Over-the-phone support and problem solving to help resolve a child’s behavioral health crisis.
Over-the-phone support with referral to community resources or a recommendation to engage in stabilization services.
In-person support via mobile crisis response.
In emergency situations, EMS, law enforcement and/or a mobile crisis response unit will be contacted to assist.

Collaborating Partners

The Family Mobile Crisis Helpline program is a collaboration with Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS), all three Kansas Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs), and a statewide network of mobile crisis providers.

FAQs

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What is the Family Mobile Crisis Helpline?

It is a phone-based support and problem-solving helpline designed to assist with resources, supports and mobile crisis referral if needed or requested. It is available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Call or text 1-833-441-2240 for help and support. A chat function is also available.

Who uses the Family Mobile Crisis Helpline?

Parents, caretakers, teachers, neighbors, or anyone who determines a child/youth is in a psychiatric, emotional or behavioral health crisis.
AND
Youth or young adults who self-determine they are experiencing a psychiatric, emotional or behavioral health crisis.

Who answers the Family Mobile Crisis Helpline?

Trained licensed professionals who help de-escalate behavioral health crisis via the helpline.

What behavioral health crisis situations can the Family Mobile Crisis Helpline help me with?

Events might include but are not limited to: substance use, changing, stopping or missing a dose of medication, as well as stressors at home, one’s living situation, school and/or work. The crisis is ultimately determined& by the youth or caller.

What if I or my child does not have healthcare insurance and needs to contact the Family Mobile Crisis Helpline?

The Family Mobile Crisis Helpline is a free resource available to those in need of support.

Does the Family Mobile Crisis Helpline speak Spanish or other languages?

The Family Mobile Crisis Helpline will utilize interpreters at no charge in the language requested by the caller.

What is Mobile Crisis Response (MCR)/Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS)?

Mobile Crisis Response (MCR) is meant for adults and Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) is meant for youth. They provide crisis response services through a rapid in-person team and community-based engagement through trauma-informed and empathetic care. Support and interventions are provided to adults, children, youth, and families who are experiencing emotional symptoms, behaviors, trauma reactions and concerns that compromise or impact their ability to function. MCR/MRSS services are provided in the current location of the person in crisis.This could include at home, work, school, or other community locations. Services are available and accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

What services can the MCR/MRSS provider team provide?

- Crisis intervention
- Safety planning
- Stabilization services
- Referrals for ongoing treatment and/or services

What happens if I request Mobile Crisis Response or Mobile Response Stabilization Services?

The local statewide mobile crisis providers will mobilize their Mobile Crisis Response (MCR)/Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) team to respond to the crisis.

What is the response time for Mobile Crisis Response/Mobile Response and Stabilization Services?

Response times and methods of contact may vary based on needs of the family and travel distance.

If MCR/MRSS responds, does the individual in crisis have to go to the hospital?

No, having an MCR/MRSS team respond does not automatically require someone to go to the hospital. The primary goal is to help stabilize the situation within a natural setting (home, provider’s office, school or other location) to avoid unnecessary contact with emergency departments. If the crisis evaluation determines that an imminent risk exists and cannot be resolved by developing a safety plan or collaborating with natural supports and current providers, the team may need to help facilitate an alternate level of care. That level of care typically includes hospitals and/or respite programs.

Are the MCR/MRSS clinicians trained?

Yes, the team will be led by a Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHP). All responders must be trained in the following through KDADS KansasTRAIN platform:
- De-escalation for Mobile Crisis Unit (MCU-1120985)
- Working with Individuals with Mental Health and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities for Mobile Crisis (MCU-1120989)
- Understanding Substance Use for Mobile Crisis (MCU-1123109)
- Harm Reduction Principles for Mobile Crisis (MCU-1123108)
- Crisis Intervention (1065738)

What happens after MCR/MRSS clinicians respond?

The MCR/MRSS team will assist the family/guardian and child/youth with de-escalation, safety planning, connection to community resources and stabilization.

Are there types of environments MCR/MRSS services cannot be provided in?

MCR/MRSS services cannot be provided when an individual is in an inpatient status. This includes: hospitals, Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities or other institutional settings.

Will local emergency services be contacted if I reach out to the Family Mobile Crisis Helpline or receive MCR/MRSS services?

The Family Mobile Crisis Helpline and MCR/MRSS Services will attempt to help the individual in crisis and avoid unnecessary contact with emergency departments. However, local emergency services may be contacted if needed.

Additional Resources

Become a Helpline Provider

Mental Health Services Training

Informational Flyer