Humboldt County officials outline crisis continuum, plan to end answering service and expand mobile teams

Humboldt County behavioral health deputies presented an overview of the county's crisis continuum at the Humboldt County Behavioral Health Board meeting, describing 24/7 call coverage, mobile response teams, short-term stabilization options and gaps in step-down capacity. County staff said they will end the contract with an answering service on June 30 and transition to county-staffed call handling.

The presentation, given to the advisory board that meets monthly, described the crisis pathway from an initial call (including local numbers and the 988 lifeline) through mobile response, subacute stabilization and the county's acute psychiatric hospital. County staff told the board they are hiring to expand mobile-response capacity and to move toward broader, county-run call handling after July 1.

County context and why it matters: Deputies said the county receives substantial call volume and has been building out mobile teams and step-down sites so people experiencing crisis can be treated in the least restrictive setting possible. Staff noted continuing gaps in subacute step-down beds and in aftercare placement that extend some hospital stays. The county described planned capital and staffing projects intended to address those gaps.

Key elements of the crisis system

Call intake and 988: County staff said 988 and the county crisis numbers both route calls to local behavioral-health hubs. A county call-volume study for the first half of 2024 recorded 7,876 calls to two local numbers (about 43 calls per day), with 2,929 received after hours, staff reported. Deputies said 988 nationally resolves a high share…