In the heart of Douglas County, a recent Board of County Commissioners meeting illuminated the ongoing efforts to enhance mental health and substance use services in the region. As community leaders gathered, the focus was on the Mobile Outreach Safety Team (MOST) and the newly launched HEART program, both aimed at providing critical support to residents in need.

The director of partnership for Douglas County shared insights into the MOST initiative, which has been operational since 2017. This program, funded in part by a grant, has successfully diverted over 55% of calls from the jail and 65% from hospitals, showcasing its effectiveness in connecting individuals with necessary resources before crises escalate. The director emphasized the importance of increasing awareness of the 988 crisis hotline, which currently receives about 12 calls a month from Douglas County. The goal is to encourage more residents to utilize this service, allowing law enforcement to focus on more urgent situations.

In addition to MOST, the HEART program—standing for Hope, Empowerment, Assistance, Recovery, and Transformation for Youth—aims to connect young people with services before they face crises. However, funding remains a challenge, particularly for marketing the 988 hotline. The county is actively seeking ways to promote this vital resource, including potential collaborations with cell phone companies to include information in billing inserts.

The meeting also highlighted the collaboration between the county and various community organizations, including licensed social workers who provide follow-up care after MOST calls. This partnership is crucial in addressing the broader mental health landscape in Douglas County.

Public comments during the meeting underscored the interconnectedness of Douglas and Alpine Counties, with residents expressing gratitude for the services available in Douglas, which often serve as a lifeline for those in Alpine. The need for more local resources, particularly for after-hours support, was a recurring theme, emphasizing the importance of building a robust network of services to prevent individuals from being sent out of the county for treatment.

As the meeting concluded, the commissioners acknowledged the personal stakes involved in these discussions, with one speaker sharing a poignant story of loss that fueled their commitment to improving mental health services. The meeting not only addressed immediate concerns but also set the stage for ongoing dialogue about the future of mental health and substance use support in the region, leaving attendees hopeful for continued progress.