Montgomery County Faces Crisis: Lack of Mental Health Services Leaves Residents Uncertain and Worried

In May, the private provider for mental health services in Montgomery County resigned, causing a halt in the local crisis response. Proposed contracts for a replacement provider were rejected, leaving residents uncertain about mental health crisis services in the area. In response to this, the Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) staff have been working to gather feedback from the community on what these services should look like in the future.

Through a series of community events held around Dayton, residents provided their insights on the delivery of crisis mental health services. They discussed potential new services and suggested improvements to the current system. Tara Campbell emphasized the importance of ensuring that no one is left out when choosing a new provider. It is crucial for the new vendor to be able to support everyone in the community who needs help.

Sean Mitchell also attended a recent public hearing and stressed the need for continuous improvement in the county’s mental health services provision. He called for more transparency about the stages of service development, especially regarding the possibility of a crisis unit where people can stay longer than 23 hours. Mitchell urged a better understanding of the barriers to achieving this goal.

The ADAMHS staff have acknowledged the community feedback and plan to incorporate it into their decisions when selecting new providers. For now, individuals in need of mental health assistance can reach out by calling 988. The county is actively working to address the gaps in services and provide effective crisis support for its residents.