Emergency
Services is a 24-hour crisis intervention program that provides
consultation services and assessment of individuals with mental
health or substance abuse issues. The program is staffed by certified
prescreeners as mandated by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Prescreeners
meet with and assess clients to determine if they present a danger
to themselves or to someone else due to mental illness, substance
abuse, or inability to care for self. The prescreener also seeks
to obtain relevant information from family members and collateral
sources in order to make the best decision in the interest of the
client's well being.
The
main treatment preference is to stabilize clients in their homes
where they have built-in support systems. However, in crisis situations
where hospitalization is the appropriate decision, a recommendation
or referral is made for inpatient treatment and follow-up.
The
Emergency Services staff works closely with local schools, hospitals,
law enforcement agencies, and other community agencies to provide
a variety of services for individuals in need. In addition, the
emergency services staff provides in-service training on mental
health and substance abuse issues for community agencies and organizations.
Emergency services personnel are also trained and certified to provide
Critical Incident Debriefings for persons or agencies involved in
a tragic event.
A
vital program within Mount Rogers Community Services, the Emergency
Services Program is always there to help in a time of crisis.
