How mobile crisis is bridging the mental health gap for youth

May is Mental Health Month and as conversations about emotional well-being take center stage, it's critical to spotlight one of the most urgent and underserved populations in our communities: kids and teens. 

Nationwide, youth are experiencing a mental health crisis. According to the NSCH, up to 1 in 5 children has a diagnosable mental health condition, yet children left untreated varies widely depending on the state they are living in. Some research shows the prevalence of children left untreated varies from 30% to 72%. Families often find themselves navigating a fragmented system, unsure where to turn when a child is in emotional distress. The Connections Mobile Crisis Teams in Montana and Pennsylvania offer a critical solution, delivering timely, on-the-ground care across communities. 

A mobile safety net for kids and teens in crisis 

In Montana, our team operates across Gallatin County from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Our Pennsylvania team covers Dauphin, Cumberland, and Perry Counties 24 hours a day. Both mobile teams bring professional mental health support directly to young people at home, in schools, or wherever they’re struggling. Staffed by a licensed clinician and a trained paraprofessional, the team provides immediate, trauma-informed intervention for: 

• Suicidal thoughts or behaviors 

• Severe anxiety, depression, or emotional dysregulation 

• Substance use concerns 

• Behavioral changes following trauma, grief, or loss 
• Early signs of psychosis or mania 

Whether the call comes from a parent, a school counselor, 911, or 988, our team responds with compassion and skill while focusing on de-escalation, assessment, and connecting the youth and their family to follow-up support. 

Why it matters: filling critical gaps for youth mental health 

Unlike traditional emergency responses, the mobile crisis model is designed for behavioral health. This distinction is especially important for youth, who may feel unsafe or retraumatized by more punitive systems. Our approach provides: 

• Crisis stabilization without the ER: Our Montana program, which has been operating for more than two years, has consistently seen that 80–90% of cases are resolved without hospitalization, helping families avoid overwhelming emergency rooms or costly transports. 

• Free access for all: Services are fully covered through public partnerships and insurance, meaning no child is turned away because of cost. 

• Confidential, community-based support: Young people can receive help without leaving their environment. Minimizing disruption to school or family life. 
• Connection to ongoing care: Every response includes a warm handoff to long-term mental health providers, building a bridge to lasting stability. 

Advocacy in action 

As we observe Mental Health Month, it’s not enough to raise awareness, we must build systems that work. That means funding community-based care, integrating behavioral health into every county, and advocating for accessible behavioral health services. At Connections, we’re proud to do just that. 

No family should feel alone in a crisis. With mobile crisis support, help comes to them with hope, healing, and a chance for every child to thrive. 

For additional information about the Gallatin Mobile Crisis Team, check out the recent guest editorial in Montana Parent. - Montana Parent - A Resource for Parents and Families or visit our website at connectionshs.com/bozeman 

To learn more about our Pennsylvania team and the other services provided at our center in Harrisburg, visit our website at connectionshs.com/harrisburg 

SOURCES: 

MCHB.HRSA.gov 

MichiganMedicine.org 

Montana Parent