Targeted crisis interventions and comprehensive support highlighted

Across the nation – and here in Monmouth County – rising Emergency Department visits among young people facing mental health crises are sounding alarm bells to families, health care providers and communities alike. Youth are increasingly turning to Emergency Departments for help with mental health challenges including suicidal thoughts, depression, mood swings, hyperactivity, impulse control issues, anxiety, panic attacks and social anxiety.

As the need for additional services – and easier access – became apparent, leaders from Monmouth ACTS, an innovative public-private partnership in Monmouth County, and the Behavioral Health team at RWJBarnabas Health (RWJBH) Monmouth Medical Center sprang into action to find a better way to connect youth with helpful resources and divert them from Emergency Departments for support. The team successfully secured grant funding from Monmouth County for a Child and Adolescent Crisis Diversion Program. This program expands the Child Family Crisis team by adding more clinicians and a prescriber to provide enhanced support.

“Our goal is to reduce Emergency Department visits, repeat hospitalizations and in-patient stays by providing youth, families and the community with targeted crisis interventions and comprehensive support in the least restrictive setting,” says Marli Gelfand, Assistant Vice President, Behavioral Health Services, RWJBH – Monmouth Medical Center. “Ideally, we want young people to receive care within 24 to 48 hours of their initial referral.”

Through the initiative, youth and families are led through a process that ensures a full continuum of care. After the initial referral, youth are evaluated, often through the Child Family Crisis Clinician (CFCC) of Monmouth Medical Center which provides in-community evaluations to help divert youth from Emergency Departments.  If it’s determined that the youth doesn’t require emergency care, they will be referred to appropriate services based on their needs, including the Child and Adolescent Crisis Diversion Program for an expedited appointment in that stabilization period. Youth can receive medication management from a Psychiatric APN, as well as therapy, case management and connections to community providers.

“Several youth are being seen in Emergency Departments who could be otherwise be screened at school, home, or via a telehealth meeting at no cost to the family,” said Dustin Knoblauch, Director of Child and Youth Services. “Programs such as the Child Family Crisis Clinicians and Child and Adolescent Crisis Diversion provide opportunities to de-escalate symptoms safely in the community as appropriate. This can save families costly Emergency Department visits while practicing a trauma informed approach.”

The program has proven to be effective. In one case, a youth was referred by Monmouth Medical Center-PESS (Psychiatric Emergency Screening Services) after experiencing increased suicidal thoughts and self-harm. The youth struggled with depression, social anxiety, low self-esteem and bullying at school.

Within 48 hours of intake, the youth received a psychiatric evaluation and was prescribed an antidepressant, which led to an almost immediate improvement. Ongoing therapy, case management and medication management were provided, incorporating art therapy, journaling and storytelling.

The youth was connected to long-term mental health services at Monmouth Medical Center for continued therapy and medication management. By discharge, the youth no longer experienced suicidal thoughts or self-harm, showed a consistently bright mood, improved self-esteem and engaged in social activities.

The initiative also includes collaboration with schools to provide them with extra support to address students’ social and emotional needs, advocate for them in the school environment and ensure they get the help they need to feel stable and supported in all areas of their lives.

“The expansions made to the Child and Adolescent Crisis Diversion Program represent the very best of the spirit of Monmouth ACTS,” said Monmouth County Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone. “The fact that Monmouth County is working with our colleagues at Monmouth Medical Center to expand the Child Family Crisis team to better serve the young people of our region, is exactly the collaborative spirit that the Monmouth ACTS initiative promotes.”

“The importance of this program cannot be stressed enough,” added Commissioner Deputy Director Susan M. Kiley, liaison to the Department of Health & Human Services. “Everywhere, we are hearing of the mental health needs of our young population. A program that provides them with the support they need while keeping them from further traumatization in the Emergency Department is a very important piece of the puzzle to answer those needs.”

For assistance, families may call the Child and Adolescent Crisis Diversion Program at
732-922-2860, where staff will assess the individual’s needs and recommend appropriate services. 

Educators who have a concern about a child may contact Child Family Crisis Clinicians at
732-923-6999.

For more information on Monmouth ACTS, visit www.MonmouthACTS.org.

About Monmouth ACTS
Monmouth ACTS (Assisting Community Through Services) was launched by the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners in 2018 to carry out recommendations of a Human Services Needs Assessment. This innovative public-private partnership brings together County employees from the Department of Human Services and community partners on the Monmouth ACTS Advisory Council (MAAC) to enhance access to services for County residents. For more information, visit www.monmouthACTS.org.