Mental Health Matters: ND Crisis System Explained

Building the Raft While Drowning: Searching for Mental Health Help & Hope in Rural America

In this episode, I visit with Statewide Clinician Leads and experts in the field of mental health and substance use, Tarah Cavett and Laura Gitter. Tarah and Laura provide consulting and leadership in North Dakota's ongoing work to improve and expand the existing system.
In our hour together, Laura and Tarah offer a closer look at the current structure of the crisis response system, the challenges of meeting the growing mental health crisis, and the ways in which the system supports ongoing efforts to reduce the stigma of mental health. Some of the issues/questions we discuss:

• What is the crisis response system?
• What can people expect when entering the crisis response system?
• What can be defined as a mental health or substance use crisis?
• What kinds of changes need to happen in the current system?
• How does 988 play a role in the crisis response system?

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988.

Kapitler

1. Mental Health Matters: ND Crisis System Explained (00:00:00)

2. What was your journey into crisis response work? (00:05:42)

3. How long has the Crisis Response System been around? (00:11:00)

4. What would happen if I contacted the Crisis Response System? (00:17:28)

5. What defines a crisis: when should I call 988? (00:22:12)

6. How is the Crisis Response System staffed? (00:24:31)

7. What kinds of improvements are being worked on? (00:26:16)

8. Why is 988 important for responding to a mental health or substance use crisis? (00:34:50)

9. What kind of workforce growth do we need to support our Crisis Response System? (00:38:42)

10. What kinds of challenges come with staffing the Crisis Response System? (00:43:00)

11. What trends are we seeing in mental health post pandemic? (00:47:52)

12. What can advocates do to support the growth of the Crisis Response System? (00:52:29)