Mobile health units hope to address crises as Louisville suicides outpace homicides

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Seven Counties Services is rolling out two mobile health units that officials believe could be a gamechanger by bringing immediate behavioral health care to people in crisis.

It's a development community leaders say is urgently needed as suicides in Louisville have outpaced homicides so far this year.

The units, part of Seven Counties’ mobile crisis team, are staffed with licensed behavioral health providers and peer specialists. The units are equipped to provide services on the spot where they are needed. They also carry medication lockboxes, gun locks and naloxone, officials said.

The new resource will serve the most impacted communities across Jefferson, Bullitt, Henry, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, and Trimble Counties.

"Part of the mobile crisis team are mobile health units that are equipped to provide services on the spot where they're needed," Brydie Harris of Seven Counties Services said on Tuesday. "It means more lives stabilized in the moment and more individuals connected to ongoing supports."

When someone dials the 988 suicide hotline, the mobile units are now an option for on-site immediate care in behavioral or mental health emergencies, Seven Counties officials said. The rollout comes during Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month in September.

LMPD reported 93 suicides this year compared with 83 criminal homicides, underscoring the scale of the problem city leaders hope the mobile units will help address.

Maj. Jill Bates of the Louisville Metro Police Department said mental health emergencies increasingly involve police once a crisis escalates. "It's very sad, and we encourage anyone if you or someone you know is experiencing any mental crisis to reach out for assistance with one of our local partners," Bates said. "When it becomes a crisis, a mental health crisis, it becomes an LMPD issue."

Seven Counties officials emphasized that people in crisis are not alone and urged residents to use available resources. "You are not alone. If you only hear one part of this, call 988. Someone is on the other side of the line ready to assist you and to speak with you through a difficult time," Harris said.

Anyone experiencing thoughts of suicide, a mental health crisis or a substance use crisis can dial 988 for help.

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