By TR Robertson
The monthly meeting of the YES Collaborative heard from Wes Albers, Law Enforcement & Community Liaison and Presenter about the Psychiatric Emergency Response Team. PERT is a Mobile Crisis Response Team or Crisis Intervention Team that provides mental health evaluation, de-escalation, and stabilization group for people experiencing behavioral health or psychiatric crisis. Mr. Albers explained what happens when a 911 or 988 call is received. The 911 call is for individuals in Immediate Physical Danger or Violence, and a Crisis Intervention Team trained officer or response team is specifically requested. PERT is only dispatched through a 911 contact. A 988 call is to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to connect with a local mobile crisis deployment team. If it is determined that a PERT member is also needed PERT pairs a licensed behavioral health clinician with a law enforcement officer who rides together as a team to assist people in crisis. Using the 5150 sections of the California Welfare and Institutions Code they are allowed, as an authorized health professional, doctor, or police officer, to involuntarily detain a person for 72-hours for psychiatric evaluation. When arriving at a behavioral crisis situation the officer will initiate communication with the person in a crisis situation and introduce the PERT Clinician. The Clinician will conduct a behavioral assessment to determine appropriate services needed. The assessment will try to determine if the person is a danger to themselves, a danger to others or a gravely disabled and in need of assistance. PERT’s main goal is to de-escalate the situation in dealing with the individual.
The 5150 allows determination if the individual can be treated with outpatient care, a crisis stabilization unit, psychiatric urgent care, incarceration or a temporary behavioral evaluation hold of 72 hours or more. A Crisis Stabilization Unit is a short-term, behavioral health facility that provides immediate care, safety, and medical monitoring for individuals experiencing severe mental health or substance use crisis. PERT does not provide ongoing treatment and does not prescribe, deliver, or administer medications. They are not Emergency Hostage Negotiators but may offer clinical support by accessing and providing relevant behavioral health information to law enforcement negotiating teams to enhance a safe resolution. Albers said PERT consists of 70 licensed and trained clinicians with around 16 working at any given time. This is PERT’s 31st year of existence. He said they average between 41-46,000 opportunities each year for assistance or evaluations, adding the county has tremendous resources available for assistance in a variety of areas for behavioral issues. PERT is part of the county’s Behavioral Healthcare Services program For more information go to www.crfbehavioralhealthcare.org . For a presentation about PERT call 619-276-8112.
The Carlsbad Youth Enrichment Services is a Community Collaborative that was founded in 1993. “The goal of the YES Collaborative has been enhanced in an effort to identify current issues and improve Communication and Collaboration among all service providers who currently work with Youth in North San Diego County.” Agency representatives and community members join together to look at Youth Development opportunities. The monthly meeting is open to anyone and everyone. The meeting is the third Thursday of the month, beginning promptly at 8:30 am and concluding at 9:30 am. The meetings are held at the Pine Avenue Community Center, 3209 Harding Street in Carlsbad. The next meeting is Thursday, November 19. For more information go to www.carlsbadusd.net/yes.
