It is a 24-hour outpatient service. Individuals may remain in the CSU for several hours to provide stabilization of psychiatric issues. There is also a Crisis hotline for individuals seeking immediate attention and a warm-line for problem resolution, or referral. This service is provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for individuals who are in immediate need of mental health services due to mental illness. An immediate examination is provided to determine if psychiatric hospitalization or other care is required.
Prior authorization of services for Medi-Cal beneficiaries experiencing an urgent condition is not required. Mental health evaluations at Mercy Hospital Emergency Department are also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Mobile Triage Team (MTT) provides crisis intervention services and mental health evaluations to individuals in the community experiencing a psychiatric emergency. We respond to local emergency rooms within the cities of Los Banos and Merced, providing crisis intervention services to individuals who are referred by Los Banos Memorial Hospital and Mercy Medical Center. MTT staff determine the level of crisis and need for services, aiming for the lowest level of care possible. This may include utilizing psychiatric hospitalization, but can include referring and linking individuals to appropriate services within our Merced County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services system and/or other community resources. Our team includes Licensed Mental Health Workers and Mental Health Clinicians, who are trained in crisis intervention and evaluation of individuals who may not be able to maintain their safety or the safety of others. Additionally, we are able to assess for those that are unable to care for themselves due to mental illness.
