Mobile Crisis Units in Michigan | Counseling & Therapy

Mobile Crisis Units in Michigan are teams of trained helpers who come to you when a mental health or substance use crisis happens. If you or someone you love feels unsafe, out of control, or unable to cope, you should not have to wait days for help. A mobile crisis team can meet you at home, school, work, or another safe place to calm the crisis and make a plan. This service is for kids, teens, and adults who need fast support without going straight to an emergency room.

Signs You Might Benefit

A crisis can look different for each person. You do not have to “hit rock bottom” to ask for help. Mobile Crisis Units can support you when you feel stuck and scared, and when you need help right now.

• Thoughts of suicide or feeling like you do not want to live
• Self-harm (cutting, burning, or other actions meant to cause pain)
• Feeling out of control, panicked, or unable to calm down
• Hearing or seeing things other people do not (hallucinations)
• Strong beliefs that feel scary or confusing (paranoia or delusional thinking)
• Severe depression with no energy, no hope, or not eating/sleeping
• Mania (very little sleep, racing thoughts, risky choices)
• Substance use crisis, including intoxication, withdrawal, or unsafe use
• Big behavior changes at home or school, especially in children and teens
• Conflict that feels unsafe (family fights, threats, or fear of violence)
• Recent trauma, loss, or shocking event that overwhelms coping skills

Benefits of a Mobile Crisis response may include:

• Fast help where you are, which can lower fear and stress
• Less time in the ER when safe alternatives are available
• De-escalation skills to reduce panic, anger, or agitation
• Safety planning that fits your real life and home setting
• Connection to ongoing care (therapy, psychiatry, case management, peer support)
• Support for families and caregivers, not just the person in crisis

Evidence-Based Approach

Mobile Crisis care focuses on safety, calming the nervous system, and building a clear next-step plan. Teams use proven crisis practices that reduce risk and support recovery. Research supports strong crisis systems that provide immediate assessment, stabilization, and linkage to follow-up care (National Institute of Mental Health, n.d.).

Core clinical methods used in mobile crisis

• Suicide risk screening and safety planning: The team asks direct, caring questions and builds a written plan for coping, support people, and safer surroundings. Safety planning is widely supported as a key crisis tool (Stanley & Brown, 2012).
• De-escalation and grounding: Simple steps like slow breathing, orienting to the room, and problem-solving in small pieces help the brain shift out of “fight, flight, or freeze.”
• Brief, skills-based coaching: Teams may use short strategies from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed care to lower distress and increase safer choices.
• Medication coordination when needed: Mobile crisis staff may consult with prescribers, coordinate urgent psychiatry, or help you access medication support through local services. They do not always prescribe on-site, but they can help you get the right level of care quickly.
• Family and caregiver support: When appropriate and with consent, the team teaches loved ones how to respond, what to watch for, and what to do next.

Clinical reasoning: “least restrictive, most helpful”

In a crisis, the goal is to keep you safe in the easiest setting that still meets your needs. If you can be safe at home with a solid plan and close follow-up, mobile crisis may help you avoid a hospital stay. If the team believes you cannot be safe, they will help coordinate a higher level of care, like an emergency evaluation or inpatient treatment.

Michigan licensing standards and team training

In Michigan, crisis services are typically delivered through local Community Mental Health (CMH) programs or contracted providers. Clinical work may be provided by licensed professionals such as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC), Licensed Master’s Social Workers (LMSW), psychologists, and other qualified clinicians, following Michigan licensing rules and scope of practice. Teams also follow privacy and consent standards, including HIPAA, and they coordinate care with hospitals and community providers when needed.

What to Expect

When you call for help (or when someone calls for you), you will be met with calm questions and a focus on safety. You do not need perfect words. You can simply say, “I’m not okay,” “I feel unsafe,” or “My child is having a crisis.”

Step 1: Quick phone screening

A staff member will ask what is happening right now, where you are, and if there are any immediate safety risks. They may ask about:

• Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
• Threats of harm to others
• Substance use and medical concerns
• Access to weapons or other lethal means
• Who is with you and who can help

Step 2: Mobile response and assessment

If a mobile visit is appropriate, the team will meet you in a safe location. They will talk with you and (if you agree) your family or supports. They will listen closely, assess risk, and help lower the intensity of the crisis. Visits can be short or longer depending on the need.

Step 3: Stabilization and a clear plan

Before the team leaves, you should have a practical plan in plain language. This often includes:

• A written safety plan with coping steps and support contacts
• Ways to make the environment safer (like locking up medications or removing lethal means)
• Follow-up care options (therapy, psychiatry, peer support, substance use treatment)
• What to do if symptoms spike again (who to call, where to go)

When to call 988 or 911

If someone is in immediate danger (a weapon is present, a serious attempt is in progress, or you cannot keep the person safe), call 911 right away. If you need urgent emotional support and help choosing next steps, you can call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) for 24/7 support in the U.S.

Insurance

Costs can vary by county and provider. Many Mobile Crisis Units in Michigan are connected to CMH systems and may be covered by Medicaid, Medicare, or commercial insurance depending on eligibility and program funding. Some crisis services may be offered at low cost or no cost when public funding applies.

Copays and deductibles

• Copay: Some plans charge a set fee for crisis or behavioral health visits.
• Deductible: If you have not met your deductible, you may owe more until it is met.
• Out-of-pocket maximum: Once reached, your plan may cover more of the cost.

Mental health parity basics

Many health plans must follow mental health parity rules. This means mental health benefits should be covered in a way that is similar to medical benefits (for example, similar limits and cost-sharing), when the plan includes mental health coverage. If a claim is denied, you can ask for the reason in writing and request an appeal.

What to ask your insurance plan

• Is mobile crisis or crisis stabilization covered?
• Do I need prior authorization?
• What is my copay or deductible for crisis services?
• Is the provider in-network or out-of-network?

FAQ

Are Mobile Crisis Units only for suicide emergencies?

No. They can help with panic attacks, severe depression, trauma reactions, psychosis symptoms, substance use crises, and behavior crises in children and teens. If you feel unsafe or unable to cope, it is okay to reach out.

Will mobile crisis force me to go to the hospital?

The goal is to help you stay safe in the least restrictive setting. If you can be safe at home with supports and a plan, the team will work toward that. If you cannot be safe, they will help you get a higher level of care, which may include an emergency evaluation.

How fast can a team arrive?

Response times depend on location, call volume, weather, and staffing. The team will tell you what to expect and what to do while you wait. If the situation becomes immediately dangerous, call 911.

What happens after the crisis visit?

You should leave with next steps. This may include follow-up appointments, referrals, and a safety plan. Many programs also coordinate with CMH services, outpatient therapy, schools, primary care, or substance use treatment so you are not left alone after the first visit.

References (for clinical accuracy):

• National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Suicide prevention. https://www.nimh.nih.gov
• Stanley, B., & Brown, G. K. (2012). Safety planning intervention: A brief intervention to mitigate suicide risk. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 19(2), 256–264.