TNR Mobile Crisis Unit work in collaboration with law enforcement to address substance use, mental health crisis

Over the weekend, Alaska State Troopers responded to an address in Wasilla for a death investigation, where initial investigation revealed two 20-year-old females were found deceased in the from a suspected overdose, while a third person was transported to the hospital for a suspected overdose, but is expected to survive. Investigation into this incident is ongoing.

Headlines and news stories like these have become an unfortunate part of life across the country, here in Alaska, and in the Mat-Su Valley. However, every day, new strides are being made to combat overdose fatalities and reverse the course of substance use disorder, suicide, and mental health. Nearly two years ago, the team at True North Recovery unveiled Dylan’s Place and the Day One Center, which offers something as simple as a hot shower, a hot meal, and a connection with someone who’s been in their shoes.

After that, Day One staff is available to help people navigate different paths for recovery and a same-day assessment, with the understanding that sometimes people might not be ready for recovery, but are wanting to make a connection so when the time comes that they are ready, Day One is there for them.

And as of last year, there is a new tool in the arsenal with the launch of the Mobile Crisis Team.

Mobile Crisis Teams (MCT), made up of a clinician and a peer support specialist, work with Mat-Com and local police departments and first responders, responding to behavioral health emergency calls, supporting those individuals’ needs in the community, versus in a hospital or more intense care setting.

MCTs are comprised of a clinician and a peer support specialist who also equipped with knowledge of local resources and can help individuals navigate the supports and services they need following their emergency, such as medication management or seeing a counselor.

Morgan Yaskus, a crisis clinician with a degree in Criminal Psychology, came to work for TNR specifically for the mobile crisis teams, saying it has been the perfect intersection for background.

“This just felt like the right spot for all the things I’m interested in coming together.”

Her peer support teammate is Joshua Engle, who has been in long-term recovery, having graduated from TNR several years ago. He then began working for TNR, helping open Vita Nova, the TNR residential program, then transitioned to working in the outpatient facility before coming to the Day One Launchpad.

“The way our organization is structure, being peer-led, was a huge piece in helping me get sober,” he says. As he worked to find his spot with the organization, Engle got a taste of crisis work. “It just lit a fire in me. There’s just something special about this, when somebody’s going through it...I’ve got a passion for it.”

Yaskus was born and raised here in the Mat-Su Valley and is aware that there is a gap to fill between what law enforcement and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) can do, and the resources for providing assistance to someone suffering from mental health issues, and has been excited about the collaboration between the MCTs and first responders

“Just getting to work collaboratively with them (first responders) in terms of how we can best serve the community, learning from them and them learning from us, has been incredible.”

Engle and Yaskus both say that the reception the MCT has gotten from the local police departments has been, in a word, amazing. That’s not to say it was an easy process.

“In the beginning, it was touch and go. They had a lot of questions, a lot of them surrounding safety and our role. But over time, watching us and seeing the services we provide, and showing results, has been amazing.” Engle says.

“We had to build trust,” Yaskus adds. Now, the teams regularly meet with the Wasilla and Palmer Police Departments, as well as with the Alaska State Troopers. “We now have an amazing relationship with all of our law enforcement.”

“They get to see outcomes and some full circle moments.”

Yaskus says that it never has felt like they were fighting against the law enforcement piece, but rather fighting against a systemic response to how mental health has been handled in the past.

“It’s been done the same way forever, so for us to come in and say we want to change it and maybe do it a little better, and here’s how we can help, we knew we needed to show results.”

The results can look a little different when the MCT is helping someone in a crisis because help cannot be forced onto someone who might not be ready to accept it.

“Some people want nothing to do with us, and that’s okay because it gives us the chance to plant the seeds. Sometimes, just giving them a snack, a blanket or dry socks can be our ‘in’ with someone, let them know the door is open when they’re ready.”

One advantage to the MCT is that they are not law enforcement.

“We know that people are not always going to be honest when there’s an officer standing there. So getting them here (to Day One) where they can get a hot meal and meet their basic needs like a shower, they’re much more willing to engage in having those conversations about getting help,” says Yaskus. “If people want to leave, they are able to. Just knowing you’re not forced to do anything, and I think that’s helpful. Just come in and know we’re here.”

While there is no ‘typical call’ in the work the crisis teams do, the MCT is dispatched to respond to wherever someone is in distress and is requested by law enforcement or EMS. It could be a home, on the scene of an accident, and even the hospital, often only armed with minimal information about the situation and the needs of the person in crisis.

If it’s an overdose or there is an active use ongoing, Engle says that the staff is able to recognize the signs and allows them to engage in direct conversations, providing empathy and understanding to the person.

“We’re blessed to have a place to bring people to,” Engle says of the Day One Center. “We have a whole group of peers they can sit down with, make contact with them.”

Yaskus explains that in addition to assisting with overdose and substance use calls, the MCT has also been called in to help with people going through domestic violence and suicidal ideation.

“Law enforcement doesn’t go to those typically because it’s not a crime, so that’s where we get to go in and fill that void.” She says that most times, people are simply looking for connection and MCT is able to have a face-to-face interaction rather than just calling 988 and talking to someone on the phone or have them taken to the hospital

“On numerous occasions, we’ve been able to go out and able to let them process, plan for safety, get family members involved if that’s appropriate, and not staying home alone. We can work on that prevention side of things before it becomes an attempt.”

The MCT has responded to over 500 calls, freeing up resources for law enforcement. By pairing a peer with lived experience and access to community resources with a masters-level clinician, the MCT Crisis Teams can offer both therapeutic interventions as well as physical support to those in need.