Mobile Crisis Team Launches with Mental Health Wellness Fair
Published on March 04, 2024
Culver City’s Mobile Crisis Team (MCT) is now available to the public. The MCT offers all community members non-emergency mental health care and support. Comprising mental health specialists, clinicians, and case managers, the MCT is committed to responding to mental health crises, providing essential support, referrals, and transport as needed. On February 27th, City Hall welcomed dozens of local resource providers for a Mental Health Resource Fair.
“I am so filled with joy and excitement. I’m just filled with immense pride,” said Mayor Yasmine-Imani McMorrin. “It was a beautiful day of committing to seeing our neighbors, committing to ending the stigma around and really enjoying that we are doing our best to lead from a care space and center the needs of mental health, addressing those needs happening in the community.”
Those partnering mental and behavioral health providers, nearly 25 in all, filled the City Hall courtyard with informative booths and offered resources and insights to enhance our community's mental health and well-being. Activities included yoga, mindfulness sound bath, meditation, and greeting card creations.
Near Culver Boulevard, people toured the Mobile Crisis van, which provides a safe and comfortable space for people in need of mental health services.
Janice Goldhaber, a mental health professional and member of Culver City’s Disability Advisory Committee, said she was pleased to see the importance Culver City has placed on mental health. “I’ve wanted a crisis emergency team for a long time and we’re finally here,” she said. “As a small city, we should be providing these services to persons with mental illness, as well as persons with disabilities. We’re coming a long way and it makes me very happy.”
The day offered education to the community about the wide-ranging resources available in Culver City. “Having the information available to everybody is super important in removing barriers to mental health equity,” said Andrea Tan of the Alcott Center. “At an event where you’re meeting face-to-face with all the other providers is great, being able to see who is there to support you if you ever need the services and help.”
Among the booths was NAMI Westside Los Angeles. The non-profit offers free education programs along with support, guidance, and hope for the growing number of Angelenos affected by mental. Cynthia Sirota, Resource Navigator, echoed the importance of bringing providers together. “These issues make it really important that we all get together and keep learning, keep growing. I would love to see this event once a year at the City Hall courtyard.”
Dr. Dan Richardson, Culver City’s Human Services and Crisis Intervention Division Manager and leader of the Mobile Crisis Team, said the response on the Mental Health Wellness Fair and the new van from the community was overwhelmingly positive. Richardson reminded the community the Mobile Crisis Team’s services can be used by anyone in need.
“If it’s themselves or perhaps a loved one experiencing a mental health crisis, this service is open to anyone,” he said. “It could be a young person dealing with difficulties of adolescence and it could be some of our older folks who are experiencing cognitive decline or loneliness, which is one of the worst things affecting our population.”
You can reach the MCT to request a field response or for a consultation, by calling their direct line, (310) 253-5770.
All services are provided at no personal cost.