INDIANAPOLIS — A deadly double stabbing on Indianapolis’ northwest side Sunday is bringing attention to the city’s mental health crisis response resources.
While the Mobile Crisis Assistance Team responds to a mental health crisis involving a threat of violence, the city’s Clinician-Led Community Response team handles calls where no threat has been reported, providing help without police.
Police say a man killed his parents at a home where MCAT had previously responded to mental health-related calls.
While MCAT has limited hours, other mental health resources in Marion County operate 24/7, like CLCR.
“They respond and engage with that individual on the scene and try to assist them with whatever their needs may be. Maybe get them connected with long-term treatment, or to the assessment or intervention center,” Indianapolis Office of Public Health and Safety Director Andrew Merkley said.
In a statement, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said its MCAT teams also spend hours following up with people, working to build trust and help them maintain treatment.
Their officers also receive mental health and de-escalation training, with many also completing additional crisis intervention training.
“This co-responder response model has the ultimate goal of diverting individuals in crisis away from the criminal justice system and emergency department and towards treatment and social services,” IMPD said.
But mental health doesn’t always end with one call for help. Sometimes, families face repeated emergencies.
“It may take multiple occurrences our teams understand that, and they’re available and try to be as available until that individual is ready to receive services,” Merkley said.
Merkley says there are also mental health programs in the city that are aimed at reducing violent crime, especially for the youth.
“It’s a partnership with Voices. They’re engaging some of the youth under 18, some of those youth who are at most risk of committing gun violence. They are engaged in intensive case management services,” Merkley said.
For families concerned about a loved one, experts say the first step is recognizing when help is needed and knowing where to turn.
Merkley says OPHS is working with EMS and the Metropolitan Emergency Services Agency to make sure emergency calls are getting the right type of response.
“We have seen an increase in utilization of CLCR. We’ve also been working really closely with Eskenazi, who operates the AIC, we’re seeing now a 97 percent utilization rate of the beds at the AIC. I think that the community should be very proud of those free resources,” Merkley said.
The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is also available around the clock to connect people with support.
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