Behavioral Health Response Receives National Honor for Helping Youth and Families in Crisis
Behavioral Health Response (BHR) received National Council for Behavioral Health’s Award of Excellence in Behavioral Healthcare Management in Washington, D.C. on May 6, 2014. With this award, BHR received a $10,000 grant supported by the Mental Health Risk Retention Group and Negley Associates.
The National Council recognized BHR for helping youth with mental health and substance use disorders in times of crisis and connecting them with needed treatments.
“We are pleased to recognize Behavioral Health Response for their comprehensive and highly effective crisis response program,” said Linda Rosenberg, President and CEO of the National Council for Behavioral Health. “Young people are especially vulnerable to life crises. BHR is a lifeline for these youth and for their families and communities.”
Since 2010, BHR has provided dedicated youth crisis services in Missouri’s St. Louis and St. Charles counties. Youth, their family, and others can call, text, or web chat with a clinician 24/7. Youth receive immediate support, working with clinicians to keep them safe and connect them to community mental health centers for treatment or emergency housing. Additionally, BHR’s mobile crisis team provides in- person intervention in the community. The team is available 24/7 and responds to crisis situations at schools, homes, and National Safe Place locations.
“Every young person deserves a bright future. Being there for them at a time of crisis and ensuring that they get the services they need makes all the difference. We’re glad BHR can do that for our youth and our community and we’re very pleased for the national recognition,” said Pat Coleman, President and CEO of Behavioral Health Response.
BHR’s results are impressive — 100 percent of young people at risk of suicide or violence to others developed collaborative safety plans, 80% of at-risk youth received mobile crisis services within 48 hours of initial contact, and 70 percent of all youth were linked to a community provider for mental health, substance abuse and/or housing services within 14 days of their initial call.
BHR’s comprehensive crisis services reduce emergency room visits and law enforcement encounters, lower healthcare cost, and most importantly, save lives.
View BHR President / CEO Pat Coleman’s acceptance speech.