Mobile response crisis team addresses growing need for urgent mental health interventions, alternatives to 911

Contact: Jeff Fenwick
Jfenwick@TrilogyInc.org
Cell: 773.837.2916
Media Inquiries Only; call 800-FACT-400 for crisis support

Chicago, Evanston, Skokie –  Trilogy, a nonprofit behavioral healthcare organization that supports people in mental health recovery to build meaningful and independent lives, has launched a new mobile crisis intervention and response unit to address a growing need for mental health crisis support.  

The First-response Alternative Crisis Team (FACT) will respond to calls placed to Trilogy’s crisis hotline, 1-800-FACT-400. FACT is a type of crisis care in which clinicians respond to mental health emergencies in the community and provide appropriate supports. The program will operate in the neighborhoods of Rogers Park, Edgewater, West Ridge, and Uptown, as well as Evanston and Skokie. 

“Trilogy is proud to announce FACT, our First-response Alternative Crisis Team,” said Samantha Handley, LCPC, CSADC, Trilogy President & CEO. “It’s a fact that Trilogy is committed to helping people who are experiencing crisis get the supports they need, when and where they need it. A core part of our mission is helping people in mental health recovery to build meaningful and independent lives. FACT will help Trilogy deliver on that promise to the community.”

Why Mobile Crisis Response?
Locally, calls for mobile crisis programs have increased, mirroring national calls for action that have arisen due to an increase in overdose and suicide deaths related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, advocacy efforts around the disproportionate harms experienced by black and brown communities as a result of police interactions have pointed to an increase in mobile crisis response as one of the potential ways to reduce these harms. Using the model of crisis response outlined by SAMHSA, Trilogy clinical staff will respond in pairs to mental health emergencies. Trilogy’s First-response Alternative Crisis Team is funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Mental Health.

About FACT
Trilogy’s First-response Alternative Crisis Team began phase 1 operation in early January, 2022 and is responding to crisis calls received between 8:00AM – 4:30PM. We anticipate that FACT response will be available 24/7 in the near future. Responses to calls will consist of engagement and rapport building, an assessment, the creation of a safety plan and follow up/ongoing supports. FACT welcomes calls from individuals experiencing crisis as well as individuals concerned for the wellbeing of a loved one or community member. Call 1-800-FACT-400 (800.322.8400).

Relationship To Police
Trilogy’s First-response Alternative Crisis Team will address mental health crises independently of police, except for cases in which police presence is necessary for safety, or when police have referred clients and have positive relationships that can assist in supporting the individual in crisis. Trilogy’s FACT will support local police by reducing the volume of mental health calls . Additionally, local precincts will be able to refer people who are frequent users of emergency services to Trilogy so that they can receive additional ongoing supportive services to help prevent crisis. Trilogy’s First-response Alternative Crisis Team will play an important and unique role in the community to help stabilize people in crisis.

About Trilogy                                                                                                                                      

Trilogy is a nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive integrated care that enables people in mental health recovery to build meaningful and independent lives. For 50 years, Trilogy has supported people who struggle with significant mental illnesses like bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorders, depression, and other issues, often in tandem with barriers like substance use or homelessness. Every day, Trilogy provides a full array of mental and behavioral healthcare to some of the most marginalized populations in Chicago. Last year, Trilogy helped more than 3,200 people move toward recovery. Learn more at TrilogyInc.org. (https://www.trilogyinc.org/) and our FAQ (https://www.trilogyinc.org/about/faq/)

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