In coordination with Partnership Health Center (PHC), the Missoula Fire Department and PHC have developed a program aimed at diverting people with low-risk behavioral health issues from jail and hospital emergency departments. The Missoula Mobile Support Team (MST) was implemented in the Fall, 2020 and currently works in collaboration with the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT).
The goal of this program is to provide the right care in the right setting to people experiencing urgent behavioral health needs. The program also looks to reduce the time and resources Missoula first responders spend addressing situations where behavioral health is a chief concern and to decrease the number of arrests and emergency room visits.
The MST currently responds with law enforcement to behavioral health-related 911 calls. The response units consist of a licensed mental health clinician and an emergency medical technician (EMT). The MST also has a Case Facilitator who follows up with clients to provide resource navigation.
