Mobile crisis team reports 209 assessments in 2025; transport, older adults and facility access flagged as challenges
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Summary
Northern Counseling presented a combined 2025 review showing 209 mobile-crisis mental-health assessments (county referrals plus voluntary hospital assessments). Presenters said ER referrals were the largest source; outcomes were split between safety plans and voluntary admissions and scarce local inpatient capacity and transport distance complicate care for older adults and youth.
Northern Counseling presented the Sawyer County 2025 mobile crisis review Feb. 10, reporting 209 combined assessments covering county referrals and voluntary hospital assessments.
"Counting both county referrals and voluntary hospital services, we did 209 mental health assessments," Caitlin of Northern Counseling told the board. She said the largest referral source was the emergency room and that most people were met once and connected to resources; a smaller number had repeat assessments (17 people had at least two assessments and some had three or more).
Caitlin described common presenting problems: "The vast majority were for suicidal ideation or some sort of suicidal behavior," and added that many assessments involved hallucinations or drug-and-alcohol use. Outcomes were nearly even between safety plans and voluntary admissions; hospital cooperation on secure transport facilitated more voluntary admissions than in years past.
Presenters noted additional pressures: an increase in assessments of people age 65 and older with complicated medical and cognitive needs and long distances to inpatient behavioral-health units. Caitlin said the nearest appropriate units are limited, for example in Ashland (small), Duluth or Eau Claire, with larger units farther away, which raises transport and cost barriers for families.
Board members asked about on-call coverage and staffing; Caitlin said she fields law-enforcement consults and that four colleagues rotate after-hours coverage. Staff also identified coordination issues when external providers with similar names (Northland vs. North Lakes) get confused during discharge planning, creating handoff problems.
The board heard that continuity arrangements with consultant clinicians and reestablishment of CCS (Comprehensive Community Services) billing capacity are part of the strategy to expand local treatment and revenue streams.
