When there's a fire, you call the fire department. When someone gets injured, you call an ambulance. When you're in danger, you call the police. But who do you call when you or someone else is experiencing a mental health crisis? In Jackson County, you call Mobile Crisis Response, a relatively new emergency service that aims to fill the gap where fire, medical, and law enforcement services aren't best suited to help. At the March 2023 Local Public Safety Coordinating Council meeting, Rick Rawlins of Jackson County Mental Health gave an overview of the program and how it's uniquely positioned to help people in crisis in our community.
